Baroque Art: Art from the Renaissance 1450-1700

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As you pick a work of art from this time period (1450-1700) that catches your eye, I choose the painting, "Queen Esther Approaching the Palace of Ahasuerus" from 1658 by Claude Lorrain. Its image is located at http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1997.156

Based on its Biblical allusion, I choose it since it reminds me of my Sunday school upbringing in the Methodist church as a child. It conveys such a serene, austere feeling that is calming to me, especially in its color execution.

I also like it because remind me of my worldwide travels since it conjures the gorgeous palace in the background.

It reminds me also of the memory of watching Princess Diana's wedding on TV when I was a child due to the regal appeal of Queen Esther in this piece as she is surrounded by admirers. It produces a very spiritual as well as a kind of romantic, emotional reaction since it is so dignified in tone.

I also like its emphasis on feminism and female empowerment as Esther is seen as strong and heroic. Critics affirm, "By choosing instead the moment of Esther's approach to the palace, which is not described in the biblical text, Claude has shifted the focus from the clemency of the king to Esther's act of bravery when its outcome was still unclear" (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1997.156).

As you then introduce your report with some information about the artist, Claude Lorrain's is renowned for his "eerily beautiful landscape paintings have enchanted the art-loving public for centuries, making this French painter one of the most widely beloved artists of the Baroque" (http://www.artble.com/artists/claude_lorrain). In fact, critics label ...