MG-2

One of a series of micro books published by Penguin which give a very brief overview of an époque or genre of art. In this case the Baroque period in Europe and Latin America in the 17th and early decades of the 18th century, As with the others in the series, they suggest that you will be able to recognise Baroque art by looking at the examples they have chosen. And maybe one can get close to it but it is a bit limited.There is no mention, for example of the Mexican churrigueresco style ...which is really baroque on steroids. (Though they do give an example of the plateresque style with the sanctuary next to Mexico City's cathedral. (Which, interestingly enough is built on top of one of the Aztec temples ......and in front of this sanctuary, as I recall, is a glass panel in the ground that one can look through and see the triumph of Christianity over the Aztec religion...I think they actually demolished the temples and re-used the stone to build the church. The book covers the usual ground in this series; architecture, town planning, painting....a large section on painting....and sculpture. The painters are represented by Caravaggio, Rubens, Van Dyke, Rembrandt, Franz hals, Murillo, Velasquez, Pieter Brueghel. The sculptors by Bernini.
As the authors say "Renaissance meant equilibrium, moderation, sobriety, reason. Logic: Baroque meant movement, desire for novelty, love of the infinite and the non-finite, of contrast and the bold fusion of all forms of art". Maybe, in the process, the artists went slightly over the top....as with the churriguresco movement in Mexico. (Though, I must admit that I was quite fascinated by it when I lived in Mexico.......almost rented a house which was ornamented in this style....though that was not the reason for renting nor for rejecting).
It does a reasonable job for the limited scope that it sets for itself. Three stars from me. ( )

No valid German National Library records retrieved.