The Matter of Violence in Baroque Painting

Seventeenth-century Baroque paintings depict violence through their material richness, visual complexity, and visceral engagement, exploring the intersection between materiality, excess, and violence. This study approaches violence as the work of materiality, analogously staging pictorial surfaces as corporeal surfaces.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Seventeenth-century Baroque paintings are often criticized for their portrayal of violence as being "over the top" and "excessive." However, their material richness, exciting visual complexity, and visceral engagement demand from beholders suggest that these depictions reflect the presumed violence of early modern society. This book delves into the intersection between materiality, excess, and violence in these paintings through a close analysis of some of the most iconic works of the period.

Baroque paintings explicitly showcase or allude to their materiality by emphasizing various physical transformations brought about by violence. This study approaches violence as the work of materiality, which has the potential to analogously stage pictorial surfaces as corporeal surfaces. In this analogy, paint becomes flayed flesh, canvas threads rupture skin, and red paint spills blood.

The materiality of Baroque paintings is evident in their use of vivid colors, intricate details, and realistic textures. Artists employed a range of techniques, such as glazing, impasto, and chiaroscuro, to create a sense of depth and dimensionality, mimicking the physical properties of the human body. This emphasis on materiality contributes to the intensity and realism of the images, making them more impactful and disturbing to viewers.

Furthermore, Baroque paintings often depict scenes of violence that are exaggerated and theatrical, reflecting the societal norms and values of the time. These works often depict exaggerated expressions of pain, suffering, and death, emphasizing the brutality and carnality of violence. By presenting these scenes in a visually compelling and dramatic manner, Baroque painters sought to evoke a sense of fear, shock, and awe in their viewers, encouraging them to contemplate the darker aspects of human nature.

However, it is important to note that Baroque paintings are not simply a reflection of the violence of early modern society but also a commentary on it. Artists used these works to explore the complexities of human nature, including greed, power, and lust, and to challenge the social and political structures of the time. Through their use of excess and materiality, Baroque painters were able to create a sense of ambiguity and tension, leaving viewers to interpret the meaning and significance of the images in their own way.

In conclusion, Seventeenth-century Baroque paintings are a rich source of materiality, excess, and violence. Through a close analysis of these works, we can gain insight into the complex relationship between these three elements and the societal norms and values of the time. These paintings offer a unique perspective on the human condition, challenging our perceptions of beauty, morality, and the nature of violence.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 177 x 249 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463727808