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Period: to
Beauty
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The Coronation of the Virgin
Here is the Virgin Mary, or more accurately known as “the Glorification of the Virgin” as she is being crowned by God and Christ the Son. The painting is also known as “Regina angelorum” or the queen of angels. Guido Reni is said to have completed this masterpiece around 1607. Guido Reni. Saint The Coronation of the Virgin.1607. Bequeathed by Williams Wells, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Christ embracing Saint John the Baptist
John the Baptist and Jesus are portrayed in their youths, a time before John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. Guido Reni painted the two biblical characters depicting John the Baptist in his camel-skin garment carrying a red cross. This is not the first painting of the same subject, there is a larger painting in Naples dated about 1612.
Guido Reni. Christ embracing Saint John the Baptist.1612. Church of the Gerolamini in Naples, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
The Martyrdom of San Lorenzo
Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini carved out Saint Lawrence in his fifteenth year in 1615. The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is a beautiful sculpture of reflecting the anatomy and agony of Lawrence beautifully.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence.1615. Florence, Italy. Artble.com. Web. -
The Dead Christ mourned by Two Angels
Though there is no specific Bible verse or chapter to explain this painting, the two angels by the Tomb of Christ may be found in John 20. The scene is a wonderful display of emotion and history and many artist have copied Giovanni’s composition. Giovanni Francesco Barbier (Guercino). The Dead Christ mourned by Two Anegls.1652.Nationalgallery.org. Web -
The Rape of Persephone
Bernini was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to carve the Rape of Persephone. Persephone is known as the daughter of Zeus and the queen of the Underworld and the statue accurately evokes the terror and torment of this Greek mythology. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . The Rape of Persephone.1621. Galleria Borghese, Rome.. Artble.com. Web. -
Self-Portrait as a Young Man
What do you see in the mirror when you look at yourself? Bernini painted his self-portrait in his twenty fifth year, 1623. The eyes of the young man in the painting capture the audience with their intensity, demonstrating that Bernini was not painting only the physical features but the psychological ones as well. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Self-Portrait as a Young Man.1623. Galleria Borghese, Rome. Artble.com. Web -
David
Bernini sculpted the biblical story of David and Goliath, a stance when David is about to throw the stone to bring down the giant Goliath. Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned this life-size marble sculpture completed in 1623-1624. The proportion, dedication and knowledge Bernini had are demonstrated in this magnificent sculpture.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini . David.1624. Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy. Artble.com. Web. -
Saint Gregory the Great with Jesuit Saints
1623 when Pope Gregory died, this striking painting was completed by Giovanni Francesco Barbier. Guercino painted this piece for the Ludovisi family in Rome, when Alessandro Ludovisi, also known as Gregory XV, was elected pope. Giovanni Francesco Barbier(Guercino). Saint Gregory the Great with Jesuit Saints.1625. New Jesuit church of S. Ignazio in Rome Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Apollo and Daphne
Bernini, known for his wonderful sculptured, finished Apollo and Daphne in 1622. Unlike the Rape of Persephone, this sculpture demonstrates a carefree youthful existence with the same attention to detail that Bernini is infamous for. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Apollo and Daphne.1625. Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy. Artble.com. Web. -
Saint Mary Magdalene
Can you feel the yearning that Reni painted? A full-length painting of Magdalen can be found in Rome, yet even without the complete form, Reni gives his viewers the emotion of a woman asking for acceptance. Guido Reni. Saint Mary Magdalene.1630. Galleria Nazionale, Rome, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Self-Portrait as a Mature Man
Bernini paints himself yet again, only this time the expression isn’t focused, it is blazing. The smirk on the painting’s face captures the audience as Bernini attempts to show a different side of himself in this 1635 painting. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Self-Portrait as a Mature Man.1635. Galleria Borghese, Rome. Artble.com. Web. -
The Rape of Europa
Unlike the Rape of Persephone, the Rape of Europa is not as carnal or as frantic. Reni uses light shades and colorful cloth to hide Europa’s body making the action and theme of the picture a little easier to digest. King Waldislaw of Poland received this elegant painting in 1640. Guido Reni. The Rape of Europa.1637. King Wladislaw of Poland, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Landscape with a Man scooping Water from a Stream
The nature and countryside of Rome is wonderfully reflected in Poussin’s painting. Thought here is no literary source to draw from, the painting’s strokes and objects speak for themselves. Nicolas Poussin. Landscape with a Man scooping Water from a Stream.1637. Pointel, a Parisian merchant, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Landscape with Travellers Resting
Poussin’s landscapes are phenomenal and this 1638 painting is no different. Different than other artists and sculptors in his century, Poussin focuses on nature, peace and the changing world and skies. Nicolas Poussin. Landscape with Travellers Resting.1638. Cassiano dal Pozzo, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Biblical theme did not escape Poussin as it is evident in his 1640 painting of the Nativity. Color and form are just as important as the influence of religion in Poussin’s world. Nicolas Poussin. The Adoration of the Shepherds.1640. Vatican Loggie, Rome, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Prince Karl of Lichtenstein feasibly commissioned this work in 1640 before his death. Reni takes a different stance in comparison to his peer Poussin, depicting angels from a different focus and a dark light coming from the baby Christ. Guido Reni. The Adoration of the Shepherds.1640. Prince Karl Eusebius of Lichtenstein, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Triton Fountain
Bernini sculpted Triton in 1642 for Urban VIII. The fountain is a piece of art as well as a historical monument for the completion of the restoration of an aqueduct, Acqua Felice. Triton’s strength and power over waters is both symbolic and aesthetically challenging. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Triton Fountain .1643. Florence, Italy. Artble.com. Web. -
Fontana delle Api
This marble shell by Bernini is a beautiful sculpture that was intended for watering horses. Called the Fountain of the Bees, this statue was located strategically at the Piazza Barberini in Rome. Gian Lorenzo Bernini . Fontana delle Api.1644. Piazza Baeberini, Rome, Italy. Artble.com. Web. -
Landscape with a Man killed by a Snake
Poussin presents us with another landscape, this time one that emits fear from the corpse he included in the foreground. Painted in 1648 for Pointel, the painting has no story to explain the fear, yet there is no confusion in the intended darkness and fear that emanates from the picture. Nicolas Poussin. Landscape with a Man killed by a Snake.1648. Pointel, a Parisian merchant, Nationalgallery.org. Web -
Landscape with a Man washing his Feet at a Fountain
Poussin’s painting of a Man Washing his Feet was adored by John Constable who connected with the painting. The dark colors that Poussin is known for in his landscapes are present in this picture, yet the viewer has a glimpse of a different world through the bright colors of the water stream. Nicolas Poussin. Landscape with a Man washing his Feet at a Fountain.1648. Pointel, a Parisian merchant, Nationalgallery.org. Web
