European Art & Culture in the 17th Century
AP European HistoryMs. Tully
Focus Question
How did the artistic and literary achievements of this era reflect the political and economic developments of the period?
Mannerism
Break down of Renaissance principles: balance, harmony, moderation
Deliberate distortion
El Greco
El GrecoBaptism of Christ 1614
TintorettoThe Last Supper1594
ParmigianinoMadonna with the Long Neck1540
BaroqueBegan in Italy in late 16thC
Catholic Reformation
Classical ideals with spiritual feeling – drama, emotion
Palaces & churches magnificent, detailed
Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
Peter Paul RubensThe Last Judgement1617
Peter Paul RubensThe Disembarkation at Marseilles1625
Peter Paul RubensThe Lion Hunt1621
• Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680)
Piazza San Pietro1667
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa1652
• Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653)
Judith Beheading Holofernes1620
French Classicism
17thC – France replaced Italy as cultural leader of EU
Classical values of High Renaissance
Grand portrayal of noble subjects
Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas PoussinThe Death of Germanicus1628
Dutch Realism
Coincided with Golden Age – lots of commissions
Portraits, group portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, still life
Realistic portray of everyday secular life
Judith Leyster (1609-1660)Judith Leyster
A Boy and the Girl with an Eel and at Cat
• Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Portrait of Remonstrant Minister Johannes Wtenbogaert1633
The Risen Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene1638
Shakespeare & English Theatre
Elizabethan Era – Plentiful Theatre
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Numerous theatres – The Globe
Lord Chamberlain’s Company
Spain’s Golden Century
1570s – Prof. theatres in Madrid & Seville
Lope de Vega (1562-1635)
French Drama
Coincided with rise of absolutism
Wrote for elite audience
Clever, polished, correct writing & language
Jean-Baptiste Racine (1639-1699) – Phedre
Jean-Baptiste Moliere (1622-1673) - Tartuffe