John Rupert Martins quot;Baroquequot; Essay - 1140 Words

This book by John Rupert Martin is a good introductory book in the understanding of Baroque artists and their tremendous variety. nbsp;Martin defines the Baroque characteristics, but only very broadly leaving a significant amount of room for the reader to make his own deductions. nbsp;In general, Martin believes that the typical definitions of the Baroque are too restrictive and hence likely to create more problems of classification and interpretation than it solves. nbsp;Even the time of the Baroque is left open to the reader when Martin says the Baroque is roughly comprehended by the seventeenth century. nbsp;It is important to note at the outset that this is only a convenient approximation; nbsp;for epoch as a whole can certainly†¦show more content†¦nbsp;Still, out of all of the artists of the time, Martin believed that Carracci was the one who rescued painting from its sorry plight. nbsp;Martin believed that Caravaggio was a great naturalist during the Baroque and he co ntributed to the trend of the time. nbsp;Caravaggios chiaroscuro throughout most of his works enabled him to further the idea of realism. nbsp;Still, Caravaggio is able to maintain his own individualism and style. nbsp;Soon after, Martin talks about the works of Bernini. nbsp;Although Martin believes that Berninis efforts of realism are the most amazing, he does not force that idea on the reader. nbsp;He simply suggests that Bernini, through his detailed sculptures of flesh, movement, and grace, gives the viewer a better sense of the moment which is being presented. nbsp;p The next theme of the Baroque which is discussed is referred to by Martin as the passions of the soul. nbsp;These emotions or in Martins words, the portrayal of the inner life of man, finally came to life during the Baroque. nbsp;The Baroque was a time where no emotion lay hidden and all were to be felt by both the artist as well as the spectator. nbsp;Chiaroscuro was a tool used in many paintings to further the emotional sense in the spectator. nbsp;Sculpture too, was an emotional ride in the Baroque. nbsp;One such work is Berninis The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.