Author: Brian

  • Baptism of Christ

    Baptism of Christ

    On January 12th, the Catholic Church celebrates the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. “The Baptism of Christ” (c.1609) by El Greco and his son is not a Baroque piece, but you can see how the colors, movement and expressiveness of the subjects influenced Baroque artists. I love how they tied in the Holy…

  • Epiphany of the Lord

    Epiphany of the Lord

    January 5 is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, where the Catholic Church celebrates the coming of the 3 Kings to visit Jesus in the manger. “The Adoration of the Magi”(c.1655) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo shows the 3 Kings in amazement of baby Jesus. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh can be…

  • St. Basil The Great

    St. Basil The Great

    January 2nd the feast day of Saint Basil the Great. His vast knowledge, speeches, monastic reforms, and extensive charitable works earned him the title of “Great” during his lifetime. The “St. Basil Dictating His Doctrine”(c.1638) by Francisco de Herrera. The painting was originally part of an altarpiece in San Basilio el Grande in Seville. It…

  • Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year from the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium! Today the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God. Have a look at The Madonna of the Rosary (1604) by Caravaggio. We see the Virgin pointing at the rosaries she gave to St. Dominic, while others kneel and request the rosaries…

  • Caravaggio’s Death of the Virgin Rejection

    Much has been written about Caravaggio’s Death of the Virgin and its rejection by the Barefoot Carmelites. However, did you know that the painter chosen replace Caravaggio was also rejected on his first attempt? The Venetian painter Carlo Saraceni also depicted the Virgin dead; though she appeared less lifeless than in Caravaggio’s version. He modified…

  • The Holy Family with St. Elizabeth

    The Holy Family with St. Elizabeth

    Merry Christmas from the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium! In celebration, we will be sharing our favorite Holy Family scenes by French Baroque artists from our recent trip to the Louvre. The Holy Family with Saint Elizabeth and Saint John the Baptist (c.1633) by Jacques Blanchard. Here is a unique scene with Baby Jesus handing John…

  • John the Baptist, keep your voice down!

    John the Baptist, keep your voice down!

    Merry Christmas from the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium! In celebration, we will be sharing our favorite Holy Family scenes by French Baroque artists from our recent trip to the Louvre. Sleeping Jesus or Silence (1655) by Charles Le Brun – I love how realistic the depiction is with the Virgin silencing John the Baptist since…

  • Even St. Joseph has rough days

    Even St. Joseph has rough days

    Merry Christmas from the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium! In celebration, we will be sharing our favorite Holy Family scenes by French Baroque artists from our recent trip to the Louvre. Bonus: The Holy Family of Francis I (c.1518) by Raphael and Friends. Not Baroque and not French but I do love this depiction of the…

  • Adoration of the Shepards

    Adoration of the Shepards

    Merry Christmas from the Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium! In celebration, we will be sharing our favorite Holy Family scenes by French Baroque artists from our recent trip to the Louvre. Adoration of the Shepards (1644) by Georges de La Tour. La Tour takes a cue from the Northern Baroque artists and includes a candle as…

  • Caravaggio Nativity Scenes

    Caravaggio Nativity Scenes

    During Christmas week, we take a look at several of Caravaggio’s depictions of the Holy Family. Note: The last slide is not universally accepted as autograph by all Caravaggio scholars. The Adoration of the Shepherds (1609) was originally displayed in the Messina church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Padri Cappuccini (Our Lady of the…