Today we talked about Rubens, and baroque art in Holland.
Rubens was an artist who got to live the fruits of his own fame. He was recognized during his time for his impressive artistic ability and was not only highly successful but he was also ridiculously influential. He was one of the two defining figures on currents of art during the following period. His story is quite interesting, especially his relationship with Christianity, and how his division between Protestantism and Catholicism is such a representation of his time and Holland at the time.
We talked about the Elevation of the Cross. It is a work that very well reflects the counter-reformation. Everything about its composition, to the tríptico format alludes to the pride of Catholicism and imagery. I can see the influence of the Italian Baroque in the work as well, it feels as though the moment is about to pass the moment you blink. The diagonals in the work create a weird feeling of unbalance between the figures, its movement, and that lack of stillness makes me feel slightly anxious looking at it, like i am living the chaos of the situation.
I think the modernity in Rubens work is also represented in Van Dyck’s portraits. I like his portrait of Charles I because I can tell it was a form of creative innovation. The humble depiction of the king, whilAnd I think that drive to create something new could only have been possible under the influence and apprenticeship of Rubens.