During the Baroque period, art became an instrument of propaganda and also a means of leading the viewer to a newly inspired Christian practice and belief. The 17th century rejected the ideals of the Renaissance. Examples of these ideals were humanism which consisted of cultural and educational reform. Then there was naturalism, representing a subject without stylization or interpretation. Another example was idealism, a standard of perfection. The last was visual harmony, forming a consistent and orderly whole. Baroque style would evoke intense emotional responses from the viewer. The images, or subjects, were dramatically lit. They embraced Classicism which involved a more moving and dramatic variant of Renaissance ideals and principles. You would see balanced compositions and diagonal movement. Also rich colors were used and visual references to Ancient Greece and Rome were made.

There are two works of art that show the comparisons and contrasts of these periods well. The first example of Baroque style was created by an artist called Gianlorenzo Bernini. He worked as the Vatican architect. Berninini admired antique art and thought of himself as a classicist. He broke through tradition and brought us to a new baroque style. He first became famous as a sculptor and continued to work as one throughout his career. He created a statue of David in 1623. The sculpture was created for a nephew of Pope Paul V. This version of David introduced three dimensional composition. David is bending at the waist and twists to one side. The statue shows action, tension, and determination. The twisted figure gives the viewer the impression that there is someone behind them that the statue is in motion towards. Thus, the viewer becomes part of the action.

The second work of art that shows the Renaissance style was by Michelangelo. Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Caprese. He came from a poor but noble family. He became an apprentice at the age of 13. Michelangelo was a poet as well as an artist. Michelangelos' David, created between 1501 and 1504 was so admired that the city counsel placed it in the principal city square. The statue has the antique ideal of the athletic male nude. The expression and gaze are new for this time. He seems to be mentally preparing himself for battle. He is a mere youth confronting a giant warrior. The statue stands for supremacy of right over might.

Michelangelos' David Berninis' David

You can see in the images above that the Renaissance art kept viewers at a distance. The art was created to invoke thought in the viewer. The Baroque art engaged viewers as participants in the work of art. The viewer becomes part of the action as the twisted form includes the real background in the art and gives the viewer the sensation there is someone behind them that the statue is aiming at. The Baroque style of Berninis' David also shows intense drama in the facial features and movement throughout the drapes of cloth. The idea was to show so much drama that you would get emotional looking at it. Michelangelos' David shows the intent of motion. You can read anguish in his expression. But it demonstrates the educated thoughtfulness of the Renaissance. They expected the viewer to have pensive thought over a piece, rather than emotion.

I don't have a preference to either of these periods. Both the Renaissance and Baroque periods contributed overwhelmingly to Art History.