Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 14: Baroque - The Elevation of the Cross (1610-1611)

by Peter Paul Rubens

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

'The Elevation of the Cross,' a triptych painted by Peter Paul Rubens between 1610-1611, provides the next example of Baroque artwork. The left panel features the Biblical Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist standing. A distraught huddle of women cringes below them. The center panel depicts a group of muscular men straining to lift Jesus onto the cross. The right panel shows Roman soldiers dragging two thieves who are soon to be crucified along with Jesus. An imminent solar eclipse adds to the sense of foreboding.

Vocabulary

Triptych: A picture or series of pictures painted on three tablets connected by hinges.
Evangelist: A writer of a gospel, especially the four New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
Virgin Mary: Mary, the mother of Christ.
John the Evangelist: In Christianity, the name of the author of the Biblical Gospel of John.
Cross: A wooden post with a perpendicular beam attached and used, especially in the Roman Empire, to execute criminals by crucifixion.
Crucifixion: An execution by being nailed or tied to an upright cross.
Solar Eclipse: A phenomenon occurring when the Moon passes between the Earth and the sun.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Baroque
2. Timeline - 17th century to the 18th century

Baroque Movement Characteristics:

1. Use of Movement, Emotion, and Vibrancy ('The Fall of Phaeton' by Peter Paul Rubens between 1604-1605)

2. Asymmetry ('The Stolen Kiss' by Jean-Honoré Fragonard painted in the late Baroque/Rococo in 1786)

3. Overlapping Subjects and Objects ('The Surrender of Breda' by Diego Velázquez between 1634-1635)

Baroque Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Elevation of the Cross' by Peter Paul Rubens between 1610-1611)

2. Mythology Still Prevalent ('Bacchus' by Caravaggio between 1595-1597)

3. Realism ('Ladies in Waiting' by Diego Velázquez in 1656)

Baroque Architecture:

1. Highly detailed and ornate works of grandeur (Melk Abbey in Melk, Austria built between 1702-1736)

2. Illusion (Trompe-l'oeil ceiling in Jesuit Church in Vienna created by Andrea Pozzo in 1703)

3. Flowing Lines (San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome, Italy consecrated in 1646)

4. Light and Shade (The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in France built starting in 1682)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• The Virgin Mary
• John the Evangelist
• Jesus Christ
• Roman Soldiers
• Two Criminals
• Crucifixion
• Solar Eclipse

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

• According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem.
• Find Jerusalem on the map.

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Baroque art movement.
• Find the Baroque art movement on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did the Baroque art movement flourish?
• Which art movement preceded the Baroque art movement?
• Which art movement followed the Baroque art movement?

Activity 5: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 17 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are Jesus, the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, a group of distraught women, Roman soldiers, and two criminals.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors, just outside Jerusalem.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the Baroque art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How is this painting reflective of the Baroque art movement?

4 / 5

Answer 4

This work seethes with movement and rich color tones, characteristic of the Baroque art movement. In addition, like many Baroque works, this artwork features a Biblical subject.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Caravaggio painted this artwork in the early 17th century.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Jesus, the Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, a group of distraught women, Roman soldiers, and two criminals.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors, just outside Jerusalem.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Baroque art movement.
4. How is this painting reflective of the Baroque art movement? This work seethes with movement and rich color tones, characteristic of the Baroque art movement. In addition, like many Baroque works, this artwork features a Biblical subject.
5. During which century was this artwork created? Caravaggio painted this artwork in the early 17th century.

References

'Baroque Art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Baroque Architecture.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'The Elevation of the Cross (Rubens).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane - Front by Architas (CC BY-SA 4.0).' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:San_Carlo_alle_Quattro_Fontane_-_Front.jpg. n.p.