Question 1

Impact of protestant reformation on the visual arts in Northern Europe

The protestant reformation had a significant effect on art in Northern Europe. This was notable between 1606- 1669 where there was a considerable reduction of religious paintings in protestant countries. Religious imagery was replaced by iconoclasm, and this was triggered by the move of protestant reformers of requesting removal of religious images. They believed that Christian symbolism is distractive and could lead to idolatry. As a result, patrons gained interest in secular ideas and concepts in art. Subject matter portrayed in art was mostly morality as this was the central message of the patrons.

Question 2

Comparing Michelangelo’s David and Bernini’s sculpture

The most apparent difference between Michelangelo’s David and Bernini David is the visual characteristics of David’s sculpture. Bernini’s David depicts a warrior in the middle of a battle. He is using his sling as a weapon to defeat Goliath. His hand and leg muscles are strained, and he is stepping forward, and his chest is also tensed depicting a process of gaining momentum to issue a mighty blow. This activity seems to be pulling his robe away from the body describing the action.

Michelangelo’s David, on the other hand, does not depict action and it’s all about his hands and balls. It describes casual and lazy hands but crushingly powerful. His balls are hanging out depicting an epoch of embarrassed Greek heroes. He seems to be courageous and self-satisfied.

Ways in which David’s sculpture represents the Baroque era

1. Bernini sculpture depicts an active relationship with space a characteristic which was not there in high renaissance clannish period. It depicts David charging at space with a lot of energy.
2. It rejects self-sufficiency since David seems not to be self-contained a feature of David in earlier sculptures.
3. The sculpture also uses curves in its art. This characteristic that was not used in previous sculptures. It’s an effect that was traditionally used outside the province.

Question 3

Was Velasquez a follower of Caravaggio?

By comparing the artwork of Velasquez ‘water carrier of Seville’ and Caravaggio ‘Calling of St. Mathew’, we can see that Velasquez is a follower of Caravaggio. Velasquez art depicted ordinary people in ordinary places a characteristic that Caravaggio had explored in his artwork of the calling of St. Mathew.  Velasquez used dramatic lighting, understated backgrounds, and natural color palettes a feature associated with Caravaggio painting.  Dramatic lighting and understated backgrounds are elements of Baroque style.

Both depict an event of a nearly silent narrative. You can read what is going on in the images. In the calling of St. Mathew by Caravaggio, it depicts how the tax collectors responded. In the painting of the Water-carrier by Velasquez, it depicts a boy paying respect to the water carrier.

Question 4

Definition of terms

Poesie- This is a term used by Titan to describe a series of mythological paintings. An example is the artwork of Philip (II) of Spain.

Iconoclasm- This is a social belief that focused on the destruction of monuments icons and images for either political or religious reasons.

Genre painting – This is a form of art that depicts ordinary aspects of life such as ordinary people engaging in day to day activities. A good example is the painting of ‘The water carrier of Seville’ by Velasquez.

Memento Mori- This is a Latin Christian practice and theory that reflects on mortality and vanity of earthly life.

Tenebrism – This is a style of painting that uses profoundly pronounced chiaroscuro. It portrays a violent contrast between darkness and light. Darkness is the dominating feature.

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