Baroque art is often considered to be dramatic and emotional. With reference to specific works, explain how artists created these effects and then discuss the purposes for which artists sought to affect viewers emotionally during this period

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Responses will vary depending on the selected artwork. Renaissance art stressed the calm of reason. In contrast, Baroque art is full of energy, emotion, and movement. The dynamism and theatricality of Baroque are evident in the sculptures of Gianlorenzo Bernini. Ecstasy of St. Theresa is a sculpture in the Cornaro Chapel. The entire chapel employs all of Bernini's talents, creating a theatrical arena, with St. Theresa setting the drama as if on a stage. An angel wields a spear, and the figure falls back in a dramatic collapse, her face full of emotional rapture. The deeply cut folds of the garment create abrupt contrasts of light and shadow, illuminated from a hidden window. Bernini sought to create a theatrical performance, and the viewer is caught up in the theatrical experience.