Expression in Human Imagination, Values and Emotions - Essay Example

? Expression in human imagination, values, and emotions Art work is an extremely vital phenomenon in the history of mankind; it stores information about the past cultures and ways of life. Historical art movements marked chief transformations from one style of art to another; the previous historical art periods influenced the development of the current historical art periods. There were remarkable improvements in the new pieces of arts compared to the previous ones. Each historical art movement was affected by the prevailing economic, Political and social of the time in which it existed. This paper will analyze Baroque and Rococo Historical Art Periods, and explore the influence that the former historical art period had on the later historical art period. Further the paper will discuss the differences and the similarities between rococo and baroque art movements. Baroque and Rococo Historical Art Periods #1 According to Vernon (1999), the birth of baroque style was an extension of the renaissance art period. Eventually, renaissance gave way to baroque, as the baroque style became more and more distinct. Baroque paintings, sculpture and architecture of a dramatic character were influential tools in the possession of secular and religious absolutisms. Baroque flourished in the service of the Catholic monarchies and the Catholic Church. The artists of this style concentrated on space lights, natural forms, colors, as well as the literal relationship between the portrait subject and the observer. This style produces experience emotions, immensely powerful and thrilling to the observer. The logical purpose of this style was to relay messages to the illiterate people rather than the educated ones. This explains why the paintings were portraits of common and famous stories in the scripture. Initially, baroque art style was dominated by history paintings, religious paintings, portraits and allegories, but later, genre scenes, still life and landscapes gained notoriety rapidly (Vernon, 1999). The most striking feature of the baroque painting was immense drama, dark shadows and intense light. The artists used to select the moment when the action was taking place and also slightly before a sweeping action would take place (Vernon, 1999). For example, the portrait of a steady David daring the giant and another portrait of David throwing the stone with his sling. Baroque style of art was meant to evoke passion and emotion, as opposed to calm rationality of Renaissance. Baroque came up during a period of political and religious strife. Reformation was bringing chaos among the religion of Roman Catholic. As such, it formed a counter reformation to check the increase of Protestantism (Vernon, 1999). Rome was the centre of patronage at that period, and the church was in need of an art style that would lure people back to Catholic Church. The art was further influenced by the prevailing political climate as the monarchies of Spain, which promoted this style. This art period denied people the freedom to choose their life style and enjoy entertaining pieces of art, as it concentrated on religious issues only. Further, the political and religious chaos was ruining people’s happiness. This pressure led to the development of the rococo art movement. #2 Rococo Art was a decorative interior design and French art that emerged in the period (c.1700-1789). Rococo art style focuses on the indulgence and lavishness of the aristocracy. The paintings of this style have outstanding erotic themes, and they are also whimsical with striking flowering brushstrokes and petal colors (Vernon, 1999). The design of rococo rooms was total works of art with ornate and elegant furniture, tapestry complementing style, ornamental mirrors, and small sculptures, wall paintings and relief. Painters used curving forms and delicate colors to produce exceptional artistic works that were naughty. Many people believe that rococo serves the same purpose to baroque as mannerism serves to Renaissance. Therefore, rococo is frequently deemed as the culmination of baroque (Vernon, 1999). However, there is more to rococo than merely being a culmination of an earlier style that preceded it. Rococo is a personal and independent style, which does not concentrate on religious themes and matters like baroque (Vernon, 1999). Rococo is a renowned aristocratic drawing, a sculpture for the superior central rank fond of a delicate, intimate and fashionable style. The society adores succulent taste, freedom and pleasure. For a long period, rococo was developed and stayed in France. Later, it extended to all parts of Europe (Vernon, 1999). Rococo art movement continued to rule the European field of art, before it was replaced by Neoclassicism that attempted to return the methods of art to purism, which existed during the ancient-classic period. People were living in artificial social conditions, and the daily lives of the middle class were sublimated. These live were full of pretence of outstanding achievement, but this was not the case. Also, people had started to passion and love; thus, admiring erotic arts (Vernon, 1999). The movement managed to capture events that were about to happen and those that were already taking place. Rococo style was heavily criticized by many people because of it lack of balance in the paintings compared to the products of neoclassic period. However, this art movement remains the most famous art movement in Europe. #3 An example of baroque art is Bernini’s Cornaro chapel, while an example of rococo art is a painting called The Swing. Rococo art movement relates to the baroque art work in two antagonizing ways. The first relationship is that, rococo art movement acts as the climax of baroque art style as it was an extreme improvement from baroque (Vernon, 1999). The second relationship is that rococo marked the fall of baroque when people started criticizing rococo for lack balance in the art. These styles were later replaced by neoclassic art movement. Few similarities exist between the two movements of art. Both styles emphasize the aesthetic value of their pieces of art and they also concentrated more on visual arts than the audio arts (Vernon, 1999). The two styles targeted the rich people in the society and the leaders. Further, both rococo and baroque art movements made a significant impact in the art history, and they were adopted by the most opulent personalities in the society. Despite the similarities between the two periods, several differences exist between the two art movements. Baroque concentrated on religious matters while rococo concerned with splendor and beauty and erotic arts (Vernon, 1999). Baroque was affected by unfavorable political and religious environment while rococo was accompanied by calmness and liberty. Furthermore, baroque flourished in the service of the Catholic monarchies and the Catholic Church while rococo flourished in the houses of the middle class citizen. Lastly, baroque produced symmetrical pieces of art that were well balanced, but rococo did not care about balanced (Vernon, 1999). In fact, lack of balance in the images was the point of attraction of rococo art period. References Vernon, H.M. (1999). Baroque & Rococo: Art & Culture. 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