Spanish Baroque on Velazquez Week!
Diego Velazquez’s work was part of the Spanish Baroque movement, which had its own distinctness from other European regions during the era. In 1625-60, Spanish Baroque mostly emphasized dignified court portraits, painted realistically, and supported by the monarch. I’m sure at the time there was that one fanatic with the tacky gift shop capitalizing on all things Baroque. Mugs and keychains clogged up the store, with an aisle of T-shirts for purists, wearing catch phrases like “If it Ain’t Baroque, Don’t Fix It!” graced the chests of out of towners. If that store didn’t exist then, they truly missed out. Just like we shouldn’t miss out on the exciting movement known as Baroque!
From 1600-1750 artists from all over Europe came to Rome to study the masterpieces of the High Renaissance and Classical, going back home to give it their own cultural style. They managed to merge the technical mastery of the Renaissance, and the dramatic intensity of Mannerism. Each regional style had the common thread of mastering light for dramatic impact. It also brought the role of art into daily life and nourished greats like…
…Rembrandt
…and Caravaggio.
Obviously good on T-shirts and keychains.
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