Baroque Assignment

The period of trick known as churrigueresco began in the late 16th century. The period introduced ruse that was complex, rich, and extravagant. This was a time when optimism was the law of the the three estates and a more(prenominal) confident and confident attitude made itself known. This is reflected in most of the art realize in this period.Paintings in the Baroque period were more complex than sculpture, and it showed in close every movie. (Gardner, 397, 402) The pic, The Geographer by Jan Vermeer, is an showcase of Baroque art in the seventeenth century.En gaining the theme of cartography, the sea chart, globe, and the like, (Harden) the createing shows a human race, interrupted from his work, asked out the window. It is interesting to channel that the man in the painting aptitude be Anthony van Leeuwenhoek. It has been said that the man in this painting run shorts the mold of an brilliant man, knowledgeable from lighterature and observation. (Gowing) This wou ld certainly fit van Leeuwenhoek. In regards the the rest of the painting, in that respect is an abundance of objects on the left, leading the watchers mall to that area.It seems that the few objects on the right of the painting are unimportant. This painting embodies the four principal(prenominal) characteristics of Baroque paintings the use of diagonals, suspense, tenebrism, and snapshot quality. Diagonals run for a major role in The Geographer. In fact, almost every groove is at an angle to imply perspective. This gives the painting depth. Everything is on a diagonal, to the point where it almost looks as if the picture is slanted to 1 side.Other details to note are the compass in his hand moving at the same angle as his arm, creating attempt in the direction of his other hand, creating a circle. Most of the movement of the piece leans to the left. n wizardtheless the shadows seem to be at a diagonal. It seems as if the man in the painting is look out the window at some thing. It looks as if he is disturbed, or shocked, with what he sees. Perhaps he was interrupted from his work to witness something awful. This is the most exciting importee. The stunner stick out imagine what he is flavor at, none of the possibilities pleasant.This is how the painting is suspenseful. One can only imagine what happened before, or what result happen after, this picture was painted, but one can be sure that this moment is the beginning of something exciting. Tenebrism is defined as a style of painting that uses violent tell aparts of giddy and dark. In The Geographer, this is apparent. The strongest light source in the picture is on the left, adding even more emphasis to this side of the painting. The mans face is lit quite well, the security guard must be able to see his face for the viewer to understand his anguish.What he is working on is alike well-lit. The wall, where nothing seems to be happening, also where there are no diagonals, is cast aside in sha dow, making this wall unimportant. in that location seems to be stark lines of shadow, and then of light. (Harden) This contrast adds to the paintings shocked and disturbed feel. Looking at the painting reminds the viewer of looking at a charge. The colors are rich, the strokes scantily menuable. However, more importantly, the painting resembles a photograph because of the emotion that is caught by the artist.It seems as though the artist painted this at overstep speed, just to catch the shocked look on the founts face. Of course, it is impossible to paint that fast, and this is why it resembles a photograph. The characteristics of Baroque art in the 17th century show themselves in The Geographer. In an age of complexity, Vermeer took a musical theme and animated him with the use of shadow and light. The subject was captured in a state of shock, which leaves the viewer curious as to what he was looking at. Also, one cannot help but to notice the quality of the painting.In an age when optimism was the rule, this painting lends itself to a darker corner of the world, and Vermeer makes it work beautifully. ? Gardner, Helen. Art done the Ages. Chicago Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1959. ? Gowing, Lawrence. Vermeer. Essential Vermeer. 1950. 2001. 28 Jan 2009. http//www. essentialvermeer. com/cat_about/geographer. html ? Harden, Mark. Jan Vermeer The Geographer. WebMuseum, Paris. 14 Oct 2002. 29 Jan 2009. http//www. ibiblio. org/wm/paint/auth/vermeer/geographer. html