Who would provide a better representation of this regional style?

“From Rembrandt’s ‘Nightwatch’ characteristic of Northern Baroque art to Rubens’s sensuous, highly colored panoramas typical of Catholic Baroque, [the] art of the period had a theatrical, stage-lit exuberance and drama.” -Carol Strickland, The Annotated Mona Lisa

European Map during Baroque Period

Using at least 350-400 words, answer the question below and apply it to your assigned country (the one appearing above your name). Utilize your textbook (Ch. 2) and any included web resources to assist you. Then, respond to at least three of your peers’ discussion posts (two of the three must be on works other than the ones you were assigned) using the questions posed below for peer responses. Aim for thoughtful, detailed, and constructive initial posts and responses.

Assignment: You are a powerful patron living in Western Europe toward the end of the 17th century. As a cultural ambassador, it is your job to select an artist to represent your country at an important biennial exhibition of Baroque art that will travel worldwide. Knowing that the art of this period serves important propagandistic purposes, communicating the grandeur and wealth of that city or country and the power of the patron who commissioned it, you want to select an artist who you think typifies art of this era and communicates an important message about your country’s greatness and political ambitions. Who will it be?

In your post, make an argument both for your assigned country’s art as well as for your artist. Select a work of art or architecture discussed in your textbook, describe it in detail in your own words, and explain why it would be perfect for inclusion in this exhibition. You might also include some information on your artist and his or her reputation. In what ways does this artist’s biography, temperament, or style make him or her well-suited to such a prestigious place on the world stage? Find and include one good web resource (e.g., an essay produced by a museum or other educational institution) that helped you learn more about your artist and his/her work and cite it at the end of your post. See the additional resources on Baroque art in this module to help you find a good resource.

Peer prompt: In your replies to your peers, play the role of exhibition juror. If your peer doesn’t make a convincing argument, kindly ask him or her to elaborate. Questions to consider include: Is the artwork truly representative of a Baroque style? Is the artist a suitable one for this exhibition? Is there another artist who would provide a better representation of this regional style? Why? Three replies are required for this discussion.

Italy, pp. 47-49

Flanders, pp. 50-51

Holland, pp. 52-56

Spain, pp. 60-61

France, pp. 62-65

Cautionary note: Please make sure to use your own words in your answer. Don’t lift or reword passages from your textbook or an online source. This is considered plagiarism, for which you’ll receive no credit. Use your textbook to provide factual support for your own description of these works.