Evolution Of Baroque Art

Baroque art was a new art movement in Europe that evolved between 1600 and 1750. It was a distinguished art because of its movement and dynamism, and theoretically dependent on the mastery of geometry and space. The illusionism of baroque art is based on the capability to depict reality. All baroque art are varied outwardly but were the products of technical realizations of the renaissance. The term evolved in the mid-18th century when John Joachim used it to describe excessive art of the previous period (Rabb, 2000). The word “baroque” originated from the Portuguese term “barroco” implying pearl of unequal size. The term means ugliness and imbalance expression of art that is different from perfection and ideal beauty desired by Winckelmann

The work which distinguishes the baroque era is based on stylistically complex and variation arts. Baroque art evokes emotional states by giving appeal to the senses, creating dramatic expressions movement, vitality, grandeur, tension, blur distinctions, and sensuous richness in various arts. According to Patrick (2007), Catholic counter-reformation efforts against Protestantism influenced the development of the baroque art. Catholic Church used baroque art to react to mannerism and social turmoil of the period. Catholic Church and the council of Trent emphasized on artworks that clearly interpret realistic subjects. This was the reason the artwork focused on naturalism and became emotionally intense and engaging, which led to the emergence of baroque

Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio (1571-1610) was born in Italy. He received a short apprenticeship in Milan and then went to Rome where he worked as an assistant painter. Soon after, he started selling his paintings. Graham (2000) explains that cardinal Francesco Del Monte desired Caravaggio’s art and commissioned him to do painting for the church Of San Luigi. Caravaggio’s realistic naturalism appeared at the Contarelli chapel where he designed the life of Saint Mathew. His artworks caused public protest due to their dramatic and realistic nature. However, his reputation increased due to such violent criticism. It was unfortunate that Caravaggio faced many problems with the law. He was jailed for many assaults and for murdering a colleague after a disputed match in a game of court tennis. He fled and hid in distant places away from the city. He arrived in Naples and painted for some time waiting for the pope to pardon him. He was a baroque artist who painted several masterpieces for the Catholic Church for Counter-Reformation efforts. He is famously known of his masterpiece of “the crucifixion of saint