Composition - Baroque

Things start to get more interesting in the history of art composition with Baroque art.

Federico Barocci (1535-1612) was transitional between Mannerism and Baroque. 

Barocci used connecting figures, and spiral arrangements. 

Barocci connected movement between figures with shadow areas and set up cross movement with the figure's arms.

Caravaggio (1573-1610), a star of Baroque art, was a formalist. Gestures and placement re-emphasize direction. 

Caravaggio put a straight line showing direction in a bunch of wavy lines, i.e. as in drapery, he would play folds and long lines against modeled lines.

More characteristics of the Baroque:

3D is hinted

- length (line-ups) 

- angles (even in curves).

Proportions were manipulated.

Spiraling forms

A figure's head might be in an off direction.

There are surprise forms with no transitions or flow.

The Mannerist running rhythm

changed to:

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