Baroque symbolism, drama and divinity

Light plays a particularly important role in Baroque-style painting, whether to suggest a specified time (night, day, dawn, dusk) in a scene, or to imply the religious divinity of a subject. However, it is their use of darkness that set Baroque artists apart from their predecessors. Dark backgrounds, with light concentrated on forms in or around the centre of the composition, is known as chiaroscuro – an Italian word meaning ‘light–dark’. Many contemporary photographers draw on this theatrical technique to create a sense of intimacy or drama, guiding the viewer’s attention and emotions. 

Religious symbolism, dynamic movement – through flowing drapery that twists and turns – and reflections on our relationship to the natural world are also key characteristics of the Baroque. Landscapes that embrace the uncontrolled and transcendent power of nature allowed artists to question how lives are shaped by forces beyond their control. Dead and decaying animals, and the severed head, were also prevalent themes in art from the Baroque period. Known as memento mori – Latin for ‘remember death’ – these scenes were used to remind viewers of the transience of life.