ARH 3350 – Midterm Essay 1

Objective

• Compare and contrast the style and content of Raphael ‘s Deposition (see Chapter 1 Lecture) with Baroccis Deposition (see figure 1.12 on pg. 40) and Caravaggios Deposition (see figure 1.33 on pg. 60)
• Study the 3 articles, watch the video lecture, and read the textbook (all sources included below)
• Then answer the following questions

Questions

1) What makes the paintings by Barocci and Caravaggio examples of the shift away from High Renaissance Classicism Represented by Raphael’s verion?

2) How do approaches to telling the story in the paintings by Barcci and Caravaggio reflect the reforming values of counter-reformation theologians?

3) Consider the ways that they appeal to the emotions of the viewer by comparing and contrasting:

• their use of gestures and facial expressions
• body types
• manipulation of light and shadow, color, and space
• background vs void
• overall compositional organization (how the eye is lead from detail to detail)
• hard versus soft edges and transitions

4) Consider the issue of idealism, as shown in Raphael and to a certain extend in Barocci, who still shows some Mannerist habits, versus the expression of naturalism as a result of direct observation of the model that marks the style of Caravaggio.

Sources

• Article #1: The Deposition (Raphael) –
• Article #2: The Deposition (Barocci) –
• Article #3: The Deposition (Caravaggio) –
• Chapter 1 Lecture –
• Textbook: PDF is attached below