Research Paper on Annibale Carracci: An Artist from the Baroque

Introduction

The Baroque period of between 1590 - 1700 witnessed one of the tensest eras due to the religious friction occasioned by the Catholics and the reformers agitating for Protestantism. One of the ways through which the Catholic church reacted to the calls for reformation led by Martin Luther King was counter-reformation art that was, and to paint the church as a dignified and glorified institution without blemish. However, this counter-reformation art also found its way through the regions supporting reformation, especially among the majority of the Baroque painters and sculptors. One of the influential artists to come out of this era was Annibale Carracci. Annibale Carracci hailed from the Bologna region of Italy that was under the grip of the papacy. His father was a tailor and, together with his brother, they represented the low cadre citizenry of the region as artists were not as highly regarded or well-paid like other aristocratic functions in the then society. Annibale Carracci learnt his art through practice efforts together with his brother, Agostino Carracci. A visit to his uncle's place made his cousin, Ludovico Carracci, to notice the immense potential in the young Annibale Carracci. Ludovico prevailed upon his father to let Annibale learn and practice on his artwork further in their place. This led to the team effort of practicing and learning among Annibale, Agostino, and Ludovico Carracci; although it was clearly evident that Annibale was the most talented of the three Carraccis. It is interesting to note that Annibale Carracci became a proficient artist under the tutelage of his brother and cousin, who influenced him to perfect his style of art that transcended the earlier works of influential artists.

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From his early days as an artist, Annibale Carracci's style was distinct and unique in that it distinguished him from the other Baroque artists. This is because his early style is dominated by an expansive study of nature and the occurrence of natural subjects for art. His early style had plenty of revolutionary naturalism that other Baroque artists like Caravaggio opted to contrast through their own artistic style of confrontational realism. Despite their differences, the two styles of art are common in various ways, especially through their close link to nature and the discarding of Mannerism and its perceived artificialism. A closer scrutiny at all of Annibale Carracci's artwork reveals an underlying obsession with life and the natural order of things. He maintained this style of drawing and painting although he was to tweak this much later in life in line with the changing artistic landscape of the time. In the 1590s, Carracci was splashing various regions in Italy with new artistic subjects that entailed genre scenes drawn from the different facets of everyday life. Annibale Carracci developed an early style of a loose novel with some broken brushwork to communicate effectively with his artistic subject while bringing out the proper effects of the lighting. This enabled him to propel his artwork even further because he could capture the transient and immediate moments presented by Mother Nature. It also meant that he had to do away with the imperceptible yet smoother brushstroke that was applied in portraying most of the elevated spiritual subjects of art. A lot of grey, green, brown, and red dominates in most of Carracci's artwork to show the earthy and sober undertones set by his earlier artwork.

There are various artists who had an influence in the artwork of Annibale Carracci and there is a lot of evidence that points towards this influence. These are the artists whose work that Annibale integrated into his own art through some of his favorite elements although his artwork remained authentic. The greatest influence on his art stemmed from his first art teacher, Bartolomeo Passerotti. He replicated the subject matters of his teacher into his art with keen attention to detail just like his teacher who was a nature enthusiast that frequented the natural museum for specimens or art subjects. Then there was Antonio da Correggio whose use of the golden light during the Renaissance left a huge impression on the young Carracci. His use of rich colors and soft sfumato helped shape the mature style and perspective of art in the work of Annibale who took up the style further and strived to perfect it in his works. Annibale visited Venice with his older brother Agostino Carracci where the two budding artists were exposed to the works of Venetian artists who left an indelible and defining influence in all the subsequent artwork of Annibale Carracci. People like Giorgione and Tintoretto influence Carracci to utilize rich coloring, rich textiles and fabrics, as well as dramatic lighting effects in his art. Annabelle had also turned Rome and a quick glance at the Sistine Chapel left him in awe. He learnt the illusory depiction of art from Michelangelo and it is the classicism in the work of Michelangelo that Carracci borrowed to decorate frescoes in the exact same manner as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Lastly, Raphael also had a substantial influence on the artistic career of Carracci. This is evident in the Carracci's the 'Butcher's Shop' painting that was inspired by Raphael, whose influence was so huge that Annibale requested to be buried next to him.

Bibliography

Dickerson, C. D. 2010. Raw painting: The Butcher's shop by Annibale Carracci. Fort Worth, Tex: Kimbell Art Museum.

Robertson, Clare. 2008. The invention of Annibale Carracci. Cinisello Balsamo, Milano: Silvana.