Baroque Art and Literature: A Cultural Movement in Europe
The Baroque was not only an artistic style but also a cultural movement. It developed in Europe throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries. During this period, great advances were made in science and in the way people thought.
The Golden Age of Spanish Literature
Despite Spain experiencing a period of political and economic decline, it was producing outstanding literature, poetry, and theatre. This era is known as the Golden Age.
The Novels
Miguel de Cervantes and his work, Don Quixote de la Mancha, are most representative of this genre. The first part was published in 1605 and was very popular. It is considered the best novel in history written in the Spanish language. Quixote continues the genre of the picaresque novel, which began in the 16th century with El Lazarillo de Tormes, written by an anonymous author.
Mateo Alemán wrote Guzmán de Alfarache between 1599-1604, and Francisco de Quevedo wrote La Vida del Buscón.
Poetry
Two great poets:
- Luis de Góngora, whose style is known as culteranismo or gongorismo and is characterized by the use of cultured language.
- Francisco de Quevedo, whose style is known as conceptismo and is characterized by the use of expressions with a double meaning and a satirical tone.
Theatre
Theatre was very popular among the working classes.
- Lope de Vega wrote comedies such as El Perro del Hortelano and dramas such as Fuenteovejuna. Lope organized his works logically into three different parts: the introduction, where he presents the situation; the climax or development of the story; and the outcome.
- Calderón de la Barca wrote autos sacramentales (religious plays) such as El Gran Teatro del Mundo and tragicomedies such as La Vida es un Sueño.
- Tirso de Molina wrote tragicomedies such as El Burlador de Sevilla, which tells of the adventures of Don Juan Tenorio, an opportunist who used trickery and deception to seduce women.
Baroque Art Characteristics
Baroque art is an artistic style that emerged in Italy at the end of the 16th century and developed during the 17th and early 18th centuries.
It is characterized by its expressiveness, its use of curved features, and rich decoration. It symbolized a break with the balance and harmony of the Renaissance.
In Catholic countries, its emergence was linked to the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church aimed to use art to strengthen people’s faith. Therefore, it favored an accessible, emotive, and dazzling style, which was rich in decoration.
In Protestant countries, the reformed churches favored a more austere style of art with less decoration. Religion was less influential, and the bourgeoisie were the main patrons of works of art.
Main Characteristics of the Baroque
- Chiaroscuro: Strong contrasts in light and shade were used to guide the viewer’s eye to a specific point. The coloring of the Mannerist style was abandoned.
- Naturalism: Representing reality as faithfully as possible.
- Realism: In the portrayal of painful situations and scenes of daily life.
- Expressiveness: And the provocation of intense emotions.
- Diagonal Lines: The use of diagonal lines in compositions so they were not symmetrical.
- Theatricality: Illustrated by combining various figures and artistic features to form a scene.
Italian Baroque Art
In Italy, Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the most famous figure, producing works such as David.
Italian Baroque Painting
Caravaggio was one of the most important painters of the area. His works include The Calling of St Matthew, The Crucifixion of St Peter, Supper at Emmaus, Death of the Virgin, and Entombment.