Artists and Artworks from the Baroque Period
Nathan Hale
American Intercontinental University

Abstract
The author of this paper examines three works of art from three different artists from the Baroque Period. He compares the different works of art and discusses similarities, differences, and the techniques that were used.

The Baroque period ran from 1600 to 1770, Artist of that time used different techniques that were used during the renaissance period to bring drama to art. An immense amount of art in that period shows fantastic energy and emotion. These pieces of art that were designed and created during the Baroque period brought out emotion in the onlookers of the paintings and sculptures. Some of the ways the artist conveyed emotions in their pieces or works is they used dramatic use of light, scale and composition and the curves and the counter curves. The pieces usually hit the onlooker first, by the emotions that were portrayed by the way the artist conveyed his image in his pieces.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggios is said to have lived the most dangerous and darkest life of most painters, it is said that he lived his life without any restraints. He painted ordinary people as models and painted them with unforgiving realism. His feeling against tradition gave new meaning to traditional themes in religious painting. In his early painting you can see his full revolt against both mannerism and classicism, later as he painted more religious pieces like the “conversation of Saint Paul” 1600 to 1601. The painting recalls the moment when Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to destroy the Christion community, and was stopped by a blinding light, and heard a voice saying “ Saul Saul why do you persecute me”? " 5: And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; 6: but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do. The image of Saul in a Roman dress on the floor makes you feel as if you are right there with him. He painted with directness, he painted with deep shadows that cover part of the body, but the figure is still three dimensional and remain solid and powerful were the light touches upon them. The contrast between the different shades and light are called tenebrism. You see and feel in this masterpiece a feeling of mystical dimensions within and ordinary world that we live in. Some of the clergy denied his painting, because the emotion it brought out, the emotion was very strong they were not accustomed to pieces of work that would bring out emotion
The way Caravaggio’s painting brought out so much emotion Gian Lorenzo Bernini brought out the same emotion in his sculptures. He was an Italian artist and architect. He trained in his father’s workshop Pietro. He worked primarily in Rome. He sculpted a three dimensional piece called David, commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1623 out of marble, because David was a life size sculpture people became engaged in the action whereas Caravaggio’s painting used an introspective moment Bernini showed “David” in the midst of emotion as he prepares to throw a stone at goliath. As the onlooker you can see in David’s face deep in concentration, measuring up his opponent. It is said that Bernini was driving by his great skill and large ego, when creating a new visual ideal, you see him creating David full of action self-belief and determination above all. I see this from the work Bernini put into the sculpting of David’s face. It feels as if this piece of art was frozen mid action. It feels like the type of action you might see when capturing the split second of a winning catch in a World Series game. It’s incredible to think that Bernini captured a split second of movement carved out of marble, it really is truly amazing. Other than the emotion in David’s face there is a ton of detail all the way up from David’s curly hair to his toe nails. Line and movement is shown through David’s leaning back and the way he is holding the sling in his hand. You have a sense that Goliath is in this sculpture as well, although he is not, because of David’s turned head. The color of the sculpture is of skin tone, but the way Bernini sculpted the lines created shadowing in his skin. You can tell the strength of David by all the carved out muscles that are all over his body. Peter Paul Rubens a renowned humanist and diplomat in his time. Was the most influential baroque painters in northern Europe. He studied works of Michelangelo. When he returned up north he was very sought after and opened a large studio with much assistance. He was known for the beauty he painted when painting nudes, but there was a propensity for everything in his painting to have a sense of sensuality, his freedom with the brush influenced many painters. The rising of the cross 1610 to 1611 which was painted oil on panel. He painted this piece of art for an important Roman Catholic cathedral in his homeland. He paints the elevation of the cross after returning to Flanders from Italy. The main panel illustrates muscle men attempting to lift the cross, and the unbearable weight of Christ of the cross. This piece of art is jumping out on the onlooker it simply is amazing leading to the picture of Christ . The visual vitality makes this piece a baroque piece of art. The center of this beautiful painting is filled with drama and power. The strong figures lug the rope to raise up the cross. While the other muscly men carry and raise a pale looking Jesus. You can see the influence Michelangelo had on Peter Paul Ruben by the way he painted the muscular bodies. To the left of the painting there is John the Evangelist standing with onlookers and Mary standing aside with other women and children. To the right of the painting there are roman soldiers with the two criminals that were to be crucified.
The artwork made from the Baroque period was somewhat diversified. They all had differences and similarities and the artworks mostly represented the religious and political beliefs of the artists who created the works. The Baroque period was an excellent historical period to study, specifically as it applies to art and the artists.

References
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2004/03/Pauls-Conversion-On-The-Road-To-Damascus.aspx