Art History: Rembrandt and Bernini

Study Notes

The Baroque period was a cultural and artistic movement in Europe, lasting from the early 17th to the mid-18th century.
The term "Baroque" comes from the Portuguese word "barocco," meaning "irregular pearl or stone".

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was a Spanish painter.
He was known for using a limited palette, mixing colors skillfully to achieve various hues.
His early works were painted on canvases with a red-brown ground.
He painted directly from life, greatly influencing Spanish portraiture.
Velázquez was a significant figure in baroque art.
He was born in Seville in 1599 and died in 1660.
He was married to Juana Pacheco and had two daughters.
He was a student of Francisco Pacheco.
He was the only artist to continue to earn a salary.
Contributions:
- Painted many portraits of the Spanish Royal Family.
- His paintings were highly influential on 19th-20th-century artists, including realists and Impressionists.
- Velázquez was an important Spanish painter of the 17th century.
- He is considered a giant of Western art.
- His artwork often displays strong modeling and sharp contrasts of light, evoking dramatic lighting techniques.
Some of his famous works:
- Las Meninas
- Portrait of Juan de Pareja
- The Triumph of Bacchus
- The Surrender of Breda
- Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Blue Dress
- Old Woman Frying Eggs

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and printmaker of the Dutch Golden Age.
He is considered one of the best artists of the Dutch Golden Age.
He was highly skilled at portraying people in various dramatic and nuanced emotions.
Contributions:
- Successfully transformed the etching process, making it a true art form.
- Renowned for using light and shadow in his paintings to achieve strong realism.
- Created portraits of his contemporaries and biblical scenes.
- His self-portraits are also noteworthy.
Some Famous Works:
- Self-portrait
- Danaë
- The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
- The Night Watch
- The Return of the Prodigal Son
- The Jewish Bride

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian sculptor and architect working during the Baroque period.
He was equally adept in other media, such as painting and drawing, and architecture.
He was a worthy successor of Michelangelo, excelling in sculpting.
Recognized as a major figure in architecture and is credited with shaping the Baroque style of sculpting.
He was born in Naples in 1598 and died in Rome in 1680.
Contributions:
- Created dynamic and exuberant artworks that epitomize the Baroque style.
- Designed numerous secular buildings, churches, chapels, and public places in Rome.
- Developed stage sets and plays.
- Designed a wide variety of decorative art objects, such as lamps, tables, mirrors, and coaches.
Some famous works:
- Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
- Apollo and Daphne
- Neptune and Triton
- David
- Bust of Costanza Bonarelli

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