Deliverable – Discussion 6: Rembrandt vs. Caravaggio (Contextual Analysis)

Rembrandt, Prodigal Son, Oil on Canvas, 1661-69          Caravaggio, Young Sick Bacchus, Oil on Canvas, 1593

Overview

People who lived at the height of the Baroque period, during the 16th century, witnessed the emergence of several of the greatest artists in the history of Western art. In Italy, the artist Bernini was the driving force for a new type of figurative sculpture that was filled with energy and drama. Likewise, his Italian counterpart in painting, Caravaggio, created images that were filled with down-to-earth realism and dramatic use of light.  In fact, artists across Europe began to embrace Baroque form and content in their work. These include the Flemish painter Rubens, the Spanish painter Velasquez, and Dutch painters Vermeer and Rembrandt.

Rembrandt and Caravaggio are considered to be two of the greatest and most influential painters in the history of Western art. Both created their work during the Baroque period, but each artist was from a different geographical region and each was driven to create by different social forces and for different personal reasons. Consider these issues as you write your Discussion post.

Your Assignment

In this Discussion, you will post a 550-750 word analysis in which you will compare the work of Caravaggio and Rembrandt, then evaluate and explain which of these two artists you find to be more powerful or moving. You will justify your opinions based on key ideas and concepts from the reading and videos, as well as your own observations, ideas and insights.

This Discussion is worth 100 points. Please read the instructions and Grading Rubric before you begin.

Due Date

• Your initial Discussion post is due by Sunday, Nov. 7 at 11:59 p.m
• Your responses to posts by at least two different classmates is due by Sunday, Nov. 14 at 11:59 p.m.

You must post in the Discussion before you can read your classmates’ posts.

Instructions and Grading Criteria

Before you begin, review the reading and study guides for pages 294-298 of Artforms. Also, be sure to read the Summary of Critical Theories. This assignment combines elements of all three types of critical theories/approaches (Formal, Contextual, Expressive), with emphasis on Contextual Analysis.

Important! Approach this discussion as you would if you were writing a college paper. In other words, don’t just start writing in the discussion board without having a plan. I recommend that you open a Word document and write a polished 550-750 word paper, then copy and paste this into your discussion post. 

Step One: Watch the Videos (listed below)

Watch each of the excellent videos, at the bottom of this page, to gain a solid understanding about the life and work of Baroque artists Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Watch enough of the videos so that you understand the primary personal and social forces that drove each of these artists to create. As you watch each video, do the following:

• Take notes about the key ideas and concepts that directly relate to what you will need to write about in each paragraph of your essay, explained in Step Two. Include your own ideas and insights.
• Identify and list a few works by each artist that you find to be the most powerful and/or moving.
• Based on what you have learned, select your favorite artist.

Step Two: Post in the Class Discussion

Your post is worth 80 possible points

Write a 550-750 word analysis in which you compare the work of Caravaggio and Rembrandt, then evaluate and explain which of these two artists you find to be more powerful or moving. Organize your analysis into four paragraphs, listed below, and follow the instructions. It may be helpful to use headings. 

At the beginning of each paragraph, write a concise topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph is about. This topic sentence will help frame the controlling argument for each paragraph and will help your reader follow your key ideas.

Paragraph One: Subject and Overall Style

This paragraph should be between  100-150 words.

Post an image of a painting by both Rembrandt and Caravaggio.

Briefly state and describe the subject of each painting, then summarize and explain how each is a good example of the artist’s overall style and approach to painting. 

Paragraph Two: Personal and Social Context

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.

Summarize and explain the primary personal and social forces that motivated each artist to approach their work in such a unique and powerful way. 

• What was happening in each of the artists’ personal lives?
• What was happening in the society around them?
• Who were their patrons? Who commissioned their work and why?
• How do these factors impact the meaning conveyed in the paintings you posted?

Refer to the notes that you took while watching each video. Focus on the key ideas and concepts from the videos. You will not need to refer to other sources from the internet. 

Paragraph Three: Stylistic Similarities and Differences

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.

The religious and/or social developments that occurred during the Baroque period are reflected in the formal style (visual and formal characteristics) of each artist’s work.

In this paragraph, summarize and explain the most important similarities and differences between Rembrandt’s style (Holland) and Caravaggio’s style (Italy). The reading and study guides for pages 294-298 of Artforms will help reinforce what you learn from the videos.

Support your key points with descriptive references to the visual and formal characteristics in each of the works of art you posted. Again, refer to the notes that you took while watching each video. Focus on the key ideas and concepts from the videos and not on other sources from the internet. 

Paragraph Four: Preference and Evaluation

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.

State your preference. Then, evaluate and thoroughly explain why you prefer the work of the artist you selected over that of the other artist. Support your reasoning with direct references to the artist and painting you selected.

You may wish to consider the following:

• What initial ideas or feelings come to mind after experiencing the work of art?
• Do you identify with the work? Based on your life experiences, is it personally relevant to you?
• What is it about the work of art that you like the most? The message? The way it was made or composed? 
• Are you engaged by the formal characteristics, such as the way the artist used light, color, texture, space, scale, etc?
• Do you think your experience of the work is the same as what the artist intended?

Step Three: Respond to Two Classmates

Each post is worth 10 possible points (20 points total)

Next, review the posts of your classmates. Post a thorough and cogent response to a post by two different classmates (at least 100 words each). Add a new insight to the discussion that helps the reader better understand the work of Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Consider the following:

• Do you agree with your classmate’s analysis and interpretation? Why or why not?
• Did they leave out something important? If you think so, introduce this to the discussion.
• Did you find something interesting in the post, but you don’t fully understand? Politely ask them to clarify for you.