American Art Vs Baroque Art

The Baroque period is truly an interesting period of art. Possessing cultural changes, emotional changes, and changes in artist’s innovation and influences helps create such a period. Religion played a huge role in the change from the Renaissance period to the Baroque period. The switch in religious imagery came about with the help of Catholic churches which, played a huge role in the switch. Catholic churches were the driving force behind the Baroque period and how it portrayed the religious image during that time. The change from the Renaissance period to the Baroque period placed church and religious images as the center of the period. With such a change in art; lighting, color and focal points changed as well to highlight what the artist

Art in the Baroque period is full of figures and continuous motions going on throughout the artwork. Its many figures and limited space doesn’t exactly draw my interest in critiquing it but, some are closer to heart due to the religious actions. One piece of work that catches my eye from the Baroque period is The Elevation of the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens. Not only does The Elevation of the Cross catches my eye as a wonderful piece of art during the Baroque period but, it also triggers an emotional response due to my religious background. Since I was young I’ve learned about the crucifixion of Jesus, seen replicated replays, and replicated pictures of how Jesus was crucified on the Cross. This painting reflects the values and characteristics of the Baroque art in many ways, the background of Peter Ruben Paul, and a brief description of his work helps identify the way Baroque art reflect the Baroque

In terms of values, Ruben expresses a value from his Renaissance idol Michelangelo. In the painting The Elevation of the Cross, Ruben borrows Michelangelo’s style of depicting big muscular men. He reflects values of the Baroque period by using the dark background, he uses a little of a scenic view behind the action of the painting but, for much of the painting its dark with a dull background. When discussing the characteristic of Ruben’s Elevation of the Cross drama is shown in great detail. The whole painting depicts drama, from Jesus being elevated on the cross, to the two thieves being mishandled by Roman soldiers. Another characteristic that is heavily portrayed in the painting is the exaggerated motion throughout the painting. Expressing this characteristic leaves the painting looking as if it’s actually