The Holy Supper by Ambrosius Francken
Santo Domingo Church, La Palma, Late 16th Century
This oil on canvas painting depicts the Holy Supper in a Renaissance-style room, attributed to Ambrosius Francken. The central figure, Jesus, stands vertically, surrounded by apostles divided into two groups. These groups are depicted in dynamic poses, engaging in conversation about Jesus’s words. Bread and wine rest upon the tablecloth.
Light emanates from the right, illuminating Christ’s serene image and contrasting with the bustling gestures of
Read MoreSpanish Baroque Art: Sculpture and Painting in the 17th Century
Spanish Baroque Art
Sculpture in the 17th Century
The 17th century in Spain, traditionally considered a period of decline, saw a flourishing of culture. Monasteries, parishes, and clergy, along with lay confraternities, were the primary patrons of religious art. Sculpture focused on realism, aiming to strengthen the faith of believers.
Characteristics of Spanish Baroque Sculpture
- Realism: Sculptures were designed to be lifelike and relatable.
- Thematic Focus: Religious themes, particularly those derived
Italian and Dutch Baroque Painting
Italian Baroque Painting
1. Chronology
Beginning in the late 16th century and extending through the early 18th century, Italian Baroque painting flourished. Rome was initially the most important center, followed by Bologna and later Venice. All Baroque painters eventually gravitated towards Rome, where the dominant trend was naturalism, representing reality without idealizing filters. In Bologna, painters drew inspiration from classical antiquity. By the 18th century, Venice became the major center
Read MoreThe Ecstasy of Saint Teresa: A Baroque Masterpiece by Bernini
Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
The Intersection of Sculpture, Architecture, and Painting
Bernini masterfully captures the moment of Saint Teresa’s ecstasy, where an angel pierces her heart with an arrow, symbolizing both pain and spiritual union with God. The play of light, simulating the divine presence, bathes the sculpture, its source hidden as it penetrates an oculus in the church wall. Gilded wooden beams further enhance the transition between the earthly and spiritual realms.
The saint’s expressive
Read MoreA Journey Through Western Art History
Romanesque (11th-12th Centuries)
Architecture
The most important Romanesque building was the temple, especially cathedrals. This religious style featured a Latin cross plan with three arches and extensive use of symbols. Buildings were made of stone and constructed with barrel vaults, domes, round arches, columns, and pillars. The Pórtico de Gloria is a prime example of Romanesque architecture.
Sculpture
Romanesque sculpture was primarily relief-based and unrealistic, often painted in bright colors.
Read MoreRealism and Naturalism in Literature: A Detailed Overview
General Characteristics of Realism
Definition and Origin
Realism emerged as a movement opposed to Romanticism and sought to portray reality in art as closely and truthfully as possible. It originated in France in the early 19th century with authors like Balzac and Stendhal, and was further developed by Flaubert. In Spain, the rise of Realism coincided with historical events, emerging around 1870 after “The Glorious Revolution” and reaching its peak in the 1880s before declining in the 1900s.