THE DIFFERENT STYLES OF BAROQUE AND RENAISSANCE, WITH EMPHASIS IN COMPARING Michelangelo’s DAVID with Bernini’s DAVID
There were many differences in art between the Baroque Period and in the Renaissance era. The characteristics of the Baroque period included a feeling of movement, energy and tension. Another characteristic was time. Time was important to painters of the Baroque period. They saw time as a measurable component. Baroque art makes a direct appeal to the emotions of the viewer. On the other hand, the Renaissance era produced a more calm approach and used less emotion. There was sense of intellectual development.
To understand the contrast between the two time periods, there is one sculpture that is most obvious and that is the sculpture David. In two different time periods, there were two very different portrayals of the sculpture David. One David sculpted by Michelangelo in the Renaissance era and the other David by Bernini in the Baroque Period. Both sculptures are found in Gardner’s Art through the Ages textbook with Michelangelo’s David figure 22-9 and Bernini’s David figure 24-7 respectively.
I would like to describe the differences in the art of the Baroque Period and the Renaissance art in respect to the sculpture of David by Michelangelo and Bernini.
In the Renaissance era, Michelangelo Buonarroti transformed an enormous block of marble into a sculpture called David. The marble sculpture was seventeen foot high. This sculpture was a symbol of political liberty. In Michelangelo’s David you can see the calmness, particularly in his facial expression. There is no anxiety or emotion shown throughout the sculpted body. Classical attitudes normally appeared more calm and controlled. Although, the sculpture was large, it was still inanimate. The towering pose and stern look portrays someone of great confidence. David looks to be a scholar and in deep thought of future actions. He looks somewhat withdrawn and self-contained which was a feature of Classical art. There seems to be no effort to communicate with the viewer. Even though it is a painful action it seems to have a calm, detached expression. There also seems to be a sheer view with no distractions around the sculpture. The Renaissance period included a style of grace and ease of manner.
The Essay on Themes Of Italian Renaissance Art
As the fourteenth century ushered out the Middle Ages in Italy, a new period of cultural flowering began, known as the Renaissance. This period in history was famous for its revival of classical themes and the merging of these themes with the Catholic Church. These themes of humanism, naturalism, individualism, classicism, and learning and reason appeared in every aspect of the Italian ...
In Gianlorenzo Bernini’s David, the sculpture shows a sense of drama and tension. This marble sculpture is five foot and seven inches high. The sculpture seems to reinforce the impression of reality. A viewer can see that Bernini’s David is engaged by seeing all of his muscles tensed, unlike Michelangelo’s calm and less engaged sculpture of David. This was typical of the Romantic attitude which displayed more emotion and movement than the Classical attitude. When viewing Bernini’s sculpture, a person can even see David’s foot gripping the base. The space surrounding Bernini’s David seems to involve everyone who would be in the immediate area.
Bernini and Michelangelo embraced the human body in their artwork. Both artists had careers as religious sculptors. For both, religious art was an expression of personal faith.
Rembrandt and Caravaggio are two artists that also displayed Baroque characteristics. In Caravaggio’s Conversion of Saint Paul immediately the spectator feels drawn into their area of action. Caravaggio’s figures convey a dramatic emotion and a sense of urgency. It is easy to see that Caravaggio emphasized realism. Caravaggio like Bernini makes the viewer feel like they are a part of the drama.
The Essay on David Sculptures research paper 3095
David Sculptures Essay submitted by Unknown David, who was destined to be the second king of Israel, destroyed the Philistine giant Goliath with stone and a sling. Donatello, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, and Bernini each designed a sculpture of David. However, the sculptures are drastically different from one another. Each one is unique in its own certain way. Donatello, whose David was the first ...
Rembrandt was influenced by Caravaggio. Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son continued with the religious theme very characteristic of the Baroque period. This oil on canvas painting depicted the surreal atmosphere. He used different light intensities and contrasts that could bring out different emotions and feelings. A spectator can sense the heartfelt emotion and is drawn into the painting.
The Renaissance era revived an interest in classical culture and philosophical attitudes. In comparison with the art of the Renaissance, Baroque art is a good deal more colorful and theatrical. In conclusion, it is apparent there were more differences in the Baroque period and the Renaissance era than there were similarities.
