Vocabulary Tool Kit

Pre-reading Warm-up 1. a In two minutes only, try to draw the

face of a friend or family member in the frame provided.

b When you have finished the first activity, discuss your drawing with a partner. Is it realistic?

portrait

sculpture architecturepainting sketch

landscape still life chiaroscuro (light and dark)

2. Do you ever visit art galleries or museums?

3. Do you have a favorite artist? What do you like about his or her work?

4. Do you recognize the painting to the left? What do you think is happening?

Lesson 1Baroque Art

Unit 1ARTS & LITERATURE

Before You Read

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An Introduction to Baroque ArtForeword by Elizabeth Steele

Welcome to the third edition of An Introduction to Baroque Art . We hope you enjoy this illustrated journey through a period which produced some of the world’s most dramatic artworks, including Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes (see front cover and chapter four). Drama aside, this remarkable piece shares a number of characteristics with other Baroque paintings: realistic1 figures, unusual composition2, rich colors, and strong chiaroscuro.

The Baroque movement3 began in Rome, Italy in the late 1500s and is often associated with the Catholic church, as so many of its great works have religious subjects. However, as Baroque spread to France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Latin America, painters also started to depict4 historical and still life scenes. Latin American Baroque became a distinct5 style which blended aspects of local culture with European traditions.

The movement was not only concerned with painting; sculpture from the period is equally theatrical, often featuring angels, saints6, and symbols of death. In addition, spectacular Baroque buildings can be found throughout Europe and Latin America. They were usually designed to display the wealth and power of those who built them, and typical features of this architecture include strong chiaroscuro, elaborate7 decoration, and curved lines. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was a prominent figure in both sculpture and architecture, and he combined the two with incredible results at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

An important aim of Baroque art was to integrate8 the skills of painting, sculpture, and architecture. Caravaggio, for example, painted scenes from St. Matthew’s life for the Contarelli Chapel9 in Italy in which the light fell exactly as it would fall in real life when the pictures were displayed. Another fine example of this kind of artistic integration is the Palace of Versailles in France, which is discussed in depth in chapter six of this book.

With 25 new color images, including five of the Palace, we trust this book will be a valuable resource for college students and enthusiasts alike. Welcome to the sumptuous10 world of Baroque.

SS St. Peter’s Square, Italy

SSPalace of Versailles, France

1 lifelike2 the arrangement of things in a picture3 a period of art history4 show in pictures5 different from the others

6 people recognized as holy by the church7 very detailed8 combine separate parts to make a whole9 a small church10 luxurious, high quality

reading passage 1 Baroque Art

Unit 1 ARTS & LITERATURE

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A Reading Skill: Summarizing

If you’re reading a long text, especially in a second language, it’s easy for some of the ideas to get lost. One technique you can use to improve your understanding of longer texts is to pause often and summarize what you have just read.

Follow these steps:1. When you reach a logical break in the text, ask yourself what you have just read.2. Try to write or say it in your own words.3. Remember that a good summary does not give your ideas or opinions.4. Quickly look back at the text to check if you were right.5. Did you include all the important information (e.g., people, places, dates)?6. Continue reading and repeat the process whenever you need to.

Look again at the first paragraph of the reading passage. Below are four possible summaries of the key information. Which one is best, and why?

1. This book is about Judith Beheading Holofernes. Baroque paintings have features that make them unique such as realistic figures which, in my opinion, makes Baroque art the best of all.

2. The book explains the main features of Baroque painting. These include drama, realistic figures, unusual composition, pale colors, and weak chiaroscuro, all discussed in chapter four.

3. This book is an illustrated journey through a period which produced some of the world’s most dramatic artworks, including Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes.

4. This book will discuss the Baroque period of art. Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holfernes (featured on the cover and in chapter four), is typical of Baroque art and includes specific features such as rich colors and strong chiaroscuro.

AFTER You Read

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