Ecstasy Of St. Skyresa Analysis

Artistic style can be an internal reflection of the artist, or it can be a reflection of the era in which the artist resides. During the seventeenth century, variations of the same theme can be seen through different styles such as Baroque and Classicism. Each of these visual artistic styles are meant to convey a different feeling, or emotion; and they do so either through exaggeration or simplification.

While similar in some ways, both Baroque and Classicism also contrast. The Baroque style, mostly associated with Catholic Counter-Reformation, was a response to political and religious turmoil and a need to confirm belief in the “true” church. As such, this form of visual art captured the era’s social climate and eventually spread from

Teresa”) and Classicism (Poussin’s “Discovery pf Achilles on Skyros) visual arts and share some of their commonalities, yet define some of their differences.

The first such example of Baroque sensationalism is “The Ecstasy of St. Teresa,” a classic example of seventeenth century Baroque. Commissioned by the Venetian Cardinal, Gian Lorenzo Bernini used open space and flamboyant invention to bring forth a message of intense spirituality through hyperbolic lines and melodrama.

True to the Baroque style, the drama of this piece (Haegeman) involves the viewer by appearing to the senses, and does so by including the main sculpture within a shadow box with theatrical reliefs on either side. Moreover, dramatic movement is implied by use of illusion. The line conducted by the angel’s arm draws the viewer’s eyes to St. Teresa’s physical experience, and the line formation continues through the angle of St. Teresa’s left arm and shoeless foot, accentuating St. Teresa’s rise to Sainthood. It is also evident within this larger-than-life piece of sculpture that the histrionic of Baroque gives the viewer the effect that Teresa is falling or is collapsing. Additionally, her eyes are closed and her facial features show intense

Additionally, as time progressed into the Age of Enlightenment (Hunt. 2012. pp. 601-603), classicism soon evolved into a Neoclassical style and the Greek and Roman influences could be seen in architecture and sculptures throughout Europe and Great Brittan.

In the style of Classicism, harmony of lines, colors, and frozen movement superseded the attributes of Baroque’s elaboration. Harmony, balance, and proportion can been seen throughout this form of visual arts, bringing a more naturalistic view of the painting’s subjects. One such artist to form was Nicholas Poussin. Previously a well-known Baroque artist, Poussin became known for a more poetic, almost narrative style of artistry, which can be seen in paintings like “Discovery of Achilles on