Transportation in Renaissance and Baroque Art Works
"The Renaissance is studded by the names of the artists and architects, with their creations recorded as great historical events."
~Arthur Erickson
~Arthur Erickson
"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
~Leonardo da Vinci
~Leonardo da Vinci
During the Renaissance, spanning from 1400 into the 1500s, and the Baroque, 1600-1750, periods in art transportation stayed similar to the Middle ages. travel by ship was popular especially as the idea of pilgrimage became popular. Trade continued to grow and travel by land remained true to horseback. The wealthy traveled by coaches and horseback, even though horses were popular it was tiring to travel this way because due to exhaustion horses had to be switched out every 12 miles or so. It was still common for people to travel by foot. Still transportation was still focused around trade and merchants. People traveling for pleasure was not yet a focal point.
The Coming Squall
by: Ludolf Backhuysen I
Date earliest 1650 Date latest 1700
Location: Norwich Castle Museum
by: Ludolf Backhuysen I
Date earliest 1650 Date latest 1700
Location: Norwich Castle Museum
In "The Coming Squall" We see the importance of ships during the Baroque period in art. In the foaming, undulating sea we sea different sized ships fighting to stay on course in the oncoming storm. In one of the smaller ships we see figures bent over in consentration. With this depiction we know that ships played a major role in every day life.
Ships at Sea
by: Jacob Adriaensz Bellevois
1660-1669 (Baroque)
Oil on Panel
Location: The Walters Art Museum Baltimore
by: Jacob Adriaensz Bellevois
1660-1669 (Baroque)
Oil on Panel
Location: The Walters Art Museum Baltimore
Bellevois portrays ships on raging waters leaning into the fray of the storm. Once again we see this role that ships played in every day life. Rowboats filled with men depart from the ships rowing towards the land on the horizon. And we receive this sense of urgency and tension out at sea.
"Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts"
by: Jacopo del Sellaio
1465
Tempera on wood, gilt ornaments
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
by: Jacopo del Sellaio
1465
Tempera on wood, gilt ornaments
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
In this scene we see multiple different types of transportation. You can practically hear the idle chatter of the people and the consistent barks of the dogs as they run alongside their masters. We see men on horseback, who seem to being preparing for battle perhaps. In the background we see a ship holding a group of men. Although the transportation isn't the focal point we see that it is a supporter or underlying theme in this scene.
"Entrance to a Dutch Port"
by: Willem van de Velde II
1665
Oil on canvas
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art
by: Willem van de Velde II
1665
Oil on canvas
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Van de Velde portrays a surrean scene. As merchants dock their boats and head for shore we get this sense of anticipation because we know that in the next few hours the land will be awake with merchants and traders and the bustle of a new day. We are once again shown the importance of ships and their every day role in life during the baroque period of art.