McAndrew 5

This painting highlights many of the characteristics of Baroque art. Like some artists, such as Rubens, the human nude was used. The artist has Cupid look like a human in their real form with the exception of the addition of his wings. The concept of dark and bright colors is also clearly distinguished. The white draping behind Cupid and even his skin jumps off of the page far the clarity and brightness of the color. On the contrast, the background is virtually solid black and his wings and hair fade into the background. The face of Cupid is also intriguing for it looks as if it is that of a young boy. Caravaggio did not try to make his face strong and powerful like many of the gods were portrayed. A certain strangeness is also a characteristic of the painting for there is little to look at besides Cupid. His pose even has a certain oddness to it and the painting is not a scene, but merely a human still life. Caravaggio was a highly regarded artists and his style helps to add to the Baroque period.   

Caravaggio encompassed Baroque style and Catholic religion into this piece. Once again, the darkest of color seems to envelope the left portion of the painting and even the dark shadows casting over the tormentors seem to make them hardly visible. Jesus's bright white skin is the only contrast in the painting which draws the eye directly to him. the appeal to ones emotions, like many Baroque artists, was also used. from the position of Jesus to the sharp objects being pressed upon him, the viewer is meant to feel sympathy and remorse. Religion most obviously dominates the scene of the painting. Caravaggio was a leader in Italian Baroque painting and his pieces still puts people in amaze.  

Annibale Carracci uses art to create an emotional impression in typical Baroque style. Jesus is fleshy and white and stands out of the painting. He places his strategically so that he appears closer to the viewer and there is little space between Jesus and the edge of the painting. The background is once again dark and dreary and unlike Renaissance art, little to no attention is given to the background. The faces, though you can tell who they are, there is little detail or shading in them giving them a life like appeal. More disturbingly are the faces of the children; the left child seems as if it has the face of an aging man rather than that of a child. This typical Baroque masterpiece encompass a traumatic religious scene. Annibale Carracci along with his brother and cousin set the stage for a new age in artistic achievement.

This "River Landscape" piece reflects greatly on a more personal style of Annibale rather than encompassing strictly only Baroque characteristics. His style of paysage compose is an accurate description of the piece. The trees and island in the front is pictured closer to the viewer and is relevant to typical dark Baroque colors. However, the rest of the piece remains bright and a sense of movement is captured. The tall grass looks as if its swaying in the wind. An overall feeling of tranquility and calmness is developed from the painting. Attention to detail is not of much importance and the background scene is rather generic. Although the piece can not be clearly distinguished as Baroque, it has a strong sense of Annibale as an individual painter.