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Chapter 26: The Secular Baroque in the North

Chapter 26: The Secular Baroque in the North. The Art of Observation. The Netherlands. Amsterdam. Canals. Amsterdam. Dams, Dikes and Windmills. Tulip fields. Calvinist Amsterdam: City of Contradictions. Highly commercial – acquisition of all kinds of goods a fundamental preoccupation

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Chapter 26: The Secular Baroque in the North

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  1. Chapter 26: The Secular Baroque in the North The Art of Observation

  2. The Netherlands

  3. Amsterdam Canals

  4. Amsterdam

  5. Dams, Dikes and Windmills

  6. Tulip fields

  7. Calvinist Amsterdam: City of Contradictions • Highly commercial – acquisition of all kinds of goods a fundamental preoccupation • Center of commerce in European north • Goods traded from throughout the globe • Rigidly religious – austere in doctrine and in church decoration

  8. Amsterdam’s Independence • Calvinist resistance to Spanish dominion in 16th century • 1567 Dutch flood their lands rather than submit to the Spanish Duke of Alba • 1576 Spanish Fury – leads to death of 7,000 citizens in Antwerp. • 1581 northern provinces declare their independence from Spain • Amsterdam becomes the most important port in the North displacing Antwerp.

  9. The Dutch Reformed Church • Proclaimed by Calvinist leaders in 1571 • Although not an official state religion in the Netherlands, any person in public service had to belong to this church

  10. Strictly Calvinist in doctrine • Strong belief in the predestination of salvation • Good works were useless in gaining salvation • Interior of churches devoid of ornamentation – reflecting the purity and propriety of the congregation

  11. The Science of Observation • In the 17th century Amsterdam was the most scientifically advanced city in the world. • Inventions: • Lens • Telescope • Microscope

  12. The Science of Observation • Astronomy: • Kepler perfects Copernicus’ heliocentric theory of the Universe • Galileo improves the microscope and discovers gravity • The Church authorities persecute, incarcerate or execute scientists.

  13. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) • Bacon was a leading advocate of the empirical method, based on inductive reasoning (direct observation of phenomena) • However, utter reliance on senses could lead to fundamental errors • The four Idols (the Tribe, the Cave, the Marketplace, the Theatre) were errors in reasoning that could lead one astray • One of the founders of the Royal Society, a leading force in international science even today.

  14. Rene Descartes (1596-1650) • Championed the process of deductive reasoning, the opposite of Bacon’s process. • Believed that both observational senses and thought itself could mislead and deceive. • Among the founders of deism, which asserts that religious belief is ultimately based in reason and logic. • Famously stated “cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am.)

  15. Dutch Vernacular Painting Marked by intricate attention to detail, Dutch paintings of the 17th century can be grouped in several categories: • Still life: representation of household objects and/or food • Landscape: the representation of the countryside • Genre scenes: images of everyday life • Portraits, either individual or group: the representation of personal likeness.

  16. Still Life • Flowers in a Wan-li Vase with Blue-Tit by Johannes Goedaert, c. 1660 • Example of vanitas painting – reminder that earthly pleasures do not last • Reflects righteous Protestant principles

  17. Landscape • May reflect Dutch national pride at reclaiming extensive lands from the sea (similar to God’s re-creation of the world after the Flood) • Much emphasis on the infinite reaches of the heavens in such pictures

  18. Genre Paintings • May be boisterous, fun-filled scenes or quiet domestic interiors • Depict the everyday, commonplace world of Dutch life • Remarkably detailed – new aspects emerge upon repeated viewing • Johannes Vermeer was a notable artist in this genre.

  19. Veermer and the Northern Tradition

  20. Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

  21. Johannes Vermeer

  22. Portraits • Seek to convey the sitter’s vitality and personality • Beginning with Frans Hals (1581-1666), group portraits depict dynamic social relationships, involved in activities of their organization, with subtle indications of rank, prestige, or power

  23. Rembrandt (1606-1669) • Pre-eminent painter of portraits – group, individual, self-portraits • Highly dramatic use of light

  24. Rembrandt (1606-1669) • The Anatomy Lesson

  25. Rembrandt (1606-1669) • The Nightwatch

  26. Features of Baroque Art in the North • Northern Baroque art is characterized by high levels of attention to detail. • It reflects both scientific discovery of the era and religious conviction. • Visual detail was understood as the earthly manifestation of the divine. • Absence of religious themes • Private demand rather than religious art commissioned by the Church

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