Today we began class by discussing Dutch Landscape. When looking at the horizon line, the ratio of sky to land is generally 1/3 to 2/3. Elements such as nature, people, and human adaptations determine the scale of the landscape. This was a period when scientists started to conceive the universe as infinite, and this made its way into the arts. Tiny people also allows for a bigger landscape. Many of these elements can be seen in Jan van Goyens Pelkus’s bate Near Utrecht. We then discussed Jacob Van Ruisdael and his Bleaching ground near Haarlem. This is a type of Baroque with contrast of light. There are also patches of light from the clouds depicting motion. It’s like a snapshot, painting is a moment in time. Next, we discussed the Church in Haarlem. This is very much like and architectural rendering, it is very plain and bland as compared to Italian churches filled with art. The church’s interior can also be referred to as a type of landscape or maybe a portrait. We then began the topic of still life from the Dutch Stilleven. Said to be at the bottom of the prestige hierarchy. We looked at Willem Claesz’s Heda, still life with oysters, a Roemer, a lemon, and a silver bowl. The color scheme is very simple and there is a sense of space seen through the window reflected in the glass. Caravaggio also inspires fundamental lighting.
In the next part of the class, we talked about Baroque Art in France and the Palace of Versailles. This was for Louis XIV, the ruler of divine right. It shows absolute monarchy. Versailles starts small, but Louis decides to enlarge a hunting pavilion. He decided to move prior to ruling as result of a revolt, La Fronde which was a series of Civil Wars. The sheer scale is very Baroque as kings and queens were anxious to display their might. The French gardens were massive and almost designed like rooms. The ground plan reveals strong access metaphor as the sun. Louis XIV is referred to as the Sun King. Also, Versailles Hall of Mirrors multiplies the sun’s light, making it infinite. We concluded class by looking at some works from Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin.