What is the influence of Baroque Era in Spain?
The era of Baroque art was the Golden Age of Spanish Painting. Spanish Baroque artist adopted several style of Catholic Counter Reformation Art. The influence of El Greco’s Mannerism was fairly slight in Spain. In a number of centers the early appearance of a naturalistic baroque style was due to an influence from Italy.
Look at this painting.
Las Meninas “The Maids in Waiting”
Diego Velazquez
Prado, Madrid
1656
It is a painting from Diego Velazquez, a Spanish painter. It called “Las Meninas” means “The Maids in Waiting”. That painting is using Baroque style. As you can see in Velazquez painting, light is manipulated to reconstruct an ‘optical realism’.
So, what is the stylistic and iconography innovations from Spanish Baroque Art?
Look at this image.
It is a photo of Church in Spain. Take a look at the ceiling style, it is using baroque art style isn’t it?
Yeah, as you can see the ceiling style is glamorous, luxurious, and religious. It also using light colors. Realistic and naturalistic also can we see in that ceiling style.
From that photo we can conclude that Spanish baroque arts devoted themselves to faithfully reproducing landscapes and images, using true colors and proper tone. Light was used not only to highlight forms but as a religious device. Some Spanish painters were considered to have led the way for creating naturalistic images. Spanish baroque art also use religious themes, dynamic use of space and freeze-frame action, intense use of light and shadow and dramatic realism. A Spanish Baroque masterpiece can easily be re-created by using Baroque period techniques.
References:
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~fellows/hart206/images/velazquez_meninas.jpg
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/spanish-baroque.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-spanish-baroque.htm
http://www.uib.no/ped/baroque.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8516574_characteristics-baroque-visual-arts.html
http://www.ehow.com/way_5268811_baroque-painting-techniques.html
Visual Cultures 
