Essay No.1 – Midterm

Choose one of these two options. , write 1000 words minimum. List sources at the end of your paper. Do Not Copy and paste information from an outside source. You may quote with citations and paraphrase, but use you own words in the majority of your text.

Option One

Tracing the Transition of Italian Art from the High Renaissance to Baroque Naturalism

— A Comparative study of the Depiction of the Deposition of Christ from the Cross by Raphael, Barocci, and Caravaggio,

Study the 3 articles below by clicking on them to open the web links:

1. The Deposition by Raphael:

2. The Deposition by Federico Barocci

:

3. Caravaggio, Deposition

• The objective is to compare and contrast the style and content of Raphael ‘s Deposition, (see slide show from chapter one) with Baroccis Deposition ( fig 1.12) and Caravaggios Depostion (fig. 1, 33.) Read the textbook as well regarding the transition in style and content. Answer the questions below.
• 1, What makes the paintings by Barocci and Caravaggio examples of the shift away from High Renaissance Classicism Represented by Raphael’s verion?
• 2. How do approaches to telling the story in the paintings by Barpcci and Caravaggio reflect the reforming values of counter-reformation theologians?
• 3. Consider the ways that they appeal to the emotions of the viewer by comparing and contrasting:
• their use of gestures and facial expressions,
• body types,
• manipulation of light and shadow, color, and space.
• background vs. void
• overall compositional organization ( how the eye is lead from detail to detail)
• hard versus soft edges and transitions
• 4. Consider the issue of idealism, as shown in Raphael and to a certain extend in Barocci, who still shows some Mannerist habits, versus the expression of naturalism as a result of direct observation of the model that marks the style of Caravaggio,
• _________________________________________________________________________________
• Option Two
• Bernini’s Projects at St, Peter’s as Illustrations of the Triumph of the Counter-Reformation

Study the slide lectures, the textbook and following Videos by clicking on them to open the web links.

1. Bernini, Saint Peter’s Square

2. Bernini, Baldacchino

3. Bernini, Cathedra Petri

Type into your browser Khan Academy Cathedra Petri and a link should appear to watch a video

Describe the salient features of each of these three projects at the Vatican designed by Bernini

1.How does each project advance the idea of the triumph of the Catholic Church after the trauma of the Reformation?

2, Explain how features like the massive scale. the oval plaza layout and embracing arms of the colonnade work on the emotions of visitors approaching the Vatican complex.

3.What is the religious significance of the Solomonic columns used for the baldacchino and the representation of the four fathers of the church supporting St, Peter’s chair, especially as they relate to the early foundations of Catholicism?

4. Which details on the baldacchino indicate the patronage of Pope Urban VIII?