In Florence, the Dutch Republic, and France, Essay Example

In Florence, The Dutch Republic, and France, styles of painting remained relatively similar during both the Baroque and Classical Periods. During the Baroque period, Florence and French artists relied heavily on Royal patronage. As such, they both established patterns devoted to heavenly images, and to royal figures that desired to assert their claims to divine right. In contrast, the Dutch Republic showed conflicting views of both Calvinistic and affluent themes in its paintings that reflected its prosperity following the Eighty Years War. Commoners had portraits more widely available, which contrasted with previous years. Previously, only the wealthy could afford to get portraits commissioned; this was a big step for the middle class in the Dutch Republic.  One of the most important painters of the Baroque period utilized a style that made the viewer seem as though he or she was the center of attention. Through these periods, paintings vary between focusing on the Aristocracy, the common people, and nature. Architecture also influences Baroque paintings. Many Baroque painters seem to desire to return to a pre-industrialized society.

During the Enlightenment Period, painting consisted of different quality.  Rationalism and naturalism begins to dominate culture.  Societally, thinking is viewed as progressively moving during this period. Artists are caught in the middle, unsure of how to view society and how it is shifting. Paintings address people’s social standing. Equal weight to landscape and person is paid attention to in some paintings, which contrasts with the aristocracy’s view of land’s importance. Contentions between naturalistic and realistic ideas in paintings exist, in correlation with the time period.  In Britain, military officers make a lot of art, especially painting glamorous warfare, and death; nature is additionally important to British military officers because of topography and resources. Important events would also be depicted through allegory, such as the French and Indian War. Slaves are not depicted positively, showing racism in portraits, even in Canada.