The main difference between Renaissance and Baroque period is that Renaissance art is characterized by a naturalistic and realistic portrayal of the human form and landscape, while Baroque period is characterized by exuberant details and grandeur.
Renaissance and Baroque periods originated in and spread throughout Europe. Both styles are known to portray realism, but the Baroque style tends to be highly detailed and elaborate.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is the Renaissance Period
– Definition, Art, Architecture
2. What is the Baroque Period
– Definition, Art, Architecture
3. Similarities Between Renaissance and Baroque Period
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Renaissance and Baroque Period
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Art, Baroque, Renaissance
What is the Renaissance Period
Renaissance is the period in European history that marks the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, covering the 15th and 16th centuries. Renaissance art originated in Florence in the 15th century and reached its peak in the early 16th century, with the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Moreover, artists of this era began to reject the flatness of Gothic painting and moved toward greater naturalism. In addition, one of the most distinguishing features of the Renaissance period is the naturalistic representations of the body and landscapes.
Moreover, foreshortening (shortening lines to create the illusion of depth), sfumato (subtle and gradual blending to blur sharp outlines to indicate three-dimensionality), chiaroscuro (the interplay between light and dark to convey a sense of depth), and realistic linear perspective are some other notable features of Renaissance art. Naturalism and realism are important attributes in Renaissance sculpture, as well. Moreover, the use of religious themes, syncretistic influences, and the use of marble are some other notable features of Renaissance sculpture. Michelangelo’s statue of David and the Rome Pieta and Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus are some examples.
Although Renaissance architecture has three periods, there are some basic similarities between these periods. These include the use of mathematically precise ratios of height and width, symmetry, proportion, and harmony, and the imaginative use of arches, domes, columns, and pediments.
What is the Baroque Period
Baroque period is a style of painting, sculpture, and other arts that started around 1600 in Rome and spread throughout the European continent. It preceded the Rococo style and followed the Renaissance and Mannerism styles. The term baroque generally implies something highly detailed and elaborate. Paintings and sculptures during the Baroque period had a strong emphasis on Christian themes. In fact, the Catholic church encouraged this style as a way to counter Protestant Reformation. Therefore, the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation are two important factors in this period.
In various European countries, Baroque art took different forms according to their unique political and cultural backgrounds. Generally, the Baroque style is characterized by contrast, exaggerated motion, exuberant detail, deep colour, and grandeur. Chiaroscuro technique is a common trait of Baroque art. This is the interplay between light and dark, which gives dimly lit scenes a very high contrast and a dramatic atmosphere. Furthermore, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, and Caravaggio are some well-known Baroque paintings.
In Baroque sculpture, we can often notice groups of figures as well as the dynamic movement and energy of human forms. They can also have multiple ideal viewing angles. Baroque architecture, on the other hand, emphasized large masses, domes, and bold spaces. Queluz National Palace in Portugal is an example of Baroque architecture.
Similarities Between Renaissance and Baroque Period
- Renaissance and Baroque periods originated in and spread throughout Europe.
- Both styles are known to portray realism.
- Art from both periods emphasized strongly on themes from Christianity and Greco-Roman mythology.
Difference Between Renaissance and Baroque Period
Definition
Renaissance is the period in European history that marks the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, covering the 15th and 16th centuries, while the Baroque period is the period of art that started around 1600 in Rome and spread throughout the European continent.
Art
Naturalistic representation of the human body and landscape, foreshortening, sfumato, chiaroscuro, and realistic linear perspective are the notable features of Renaissance art while contrast, exaggerated motion, exuberant detail, deep colour, chiaroscuro, and grandeur are the notable features of Baroque art.
Sculpture
The use of naturalism, religious themes, syncretistic influences, and use of marble and stone are some notable features in Renaissance sculpture, while the use of groups of figures, dynamic movement and energy of human forms, and multiple ideal viewing angles are the notable features in Renaissance sculpture.
Architecture
Use of mathematically precise ratios of height and width, symmetry, proportion, and harmony, and the imaginative use of arches, domes, columns, and pediments art notable features in Renaissance architecture. Baroque architecture, on the other hand, emphasized on large masses, domes, and bold spaces.
Conclusion
The main difference between Renaissance and Baroque period is that Renaissance art is characterized by a naturalistic and realistic portrayal of the human form and landscape, while the Baroque period is characterized by exuberant details and grandeur.
Reference:
1. “Baroque Period.” Boundless Art History ~ Lumen.
2. “Renaissance Art.” History.com, A&E Television Networks.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Expulsion of Heliodorus” By Raphael – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Baroque ceiling frescoes (Ljubljana Cathedral)” By Petar Milošević – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply