A Brief Note On Baroque Art And Nicolas Poussin

Greatly influenced by the artwork of the Renaissance in their mythological paintings, both Nicolas Poussin and Peter Paul Rubens seamlessly re-work the styles of the 15th century to introduce their own, unique style of baroque art. These artists define Baroque art with their use of great drama, rich color, and intense light and dark shadows. This style of painting was meant to evoke emotion and passion instead of the calm rationality that had been prized during the Renaissance. Both Poussin and Rubens represent a very different interpretation of the classical style that was favored by so many artists before them. Their history paintings that include mytholigical subjects often use the movement and luscious colour that exerted such a profound influence on future artists . Followers of Rubens advocated that color is the essence of life and nature and that is at least of equal importance to the design, while followers of Poussin considered that the intellectual appeal of a painting was managed by the presence of clarity, logic, and order, inspired by the classical art from Greek and Roman antiquities.

Nicolas Poussin was a French painter, though he lived in Italy for most of his life, and his work served as an introduction to the Baroque style of the 17th century. His work mainly exuded themes of tragedy and death--paintings with a meaning--and his style is distinct in Baroque art. Unlike the lively work of Rubens, Poussin's style of painting is more analytical and detached as compared to any other artist of the Baroque period. Nicolas Poussin's way of painting was characterized by warm, sensual colors imbued with the classical Baroque dynamism and energy. He was the leading proponent of classicism in 17th century Rome and his “gran...

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...bens’ Consequences of War, the drama is evident. With the emotion being shown, the viewer can clearly understand the turmoil caused by Mars and his flair for destruction. Looking beyond the main figures of Venus and Mars, one can see the allegorical figures that Ruben expertly aligns, much like in Poussin’s Venus and Mars. Beside Venus, you see a grief-stricken woman clothed in black, who turns out to be the unfortunate Europe who, for so many years now, has suffered plunder, outrage, and misery. Rubens has clearly thought out the position and meaning of each figure depicted in this painting, for there is a message trying to be shown. Poussin believed that every painting should have a meaning, and that the best pieces have a story to tell. Rubens shows this in Consequences of War, having carefully placed the individuals in a way that helps the painting come to life.