Meet Gherardini, Marinari, Fichereli, Artemisia Gentileschi and the Dandini family of artists.

In the middle of the 1500s the Medici court was restored.  It was a time of stability and prosperity.  Artists enjoyed many lucrative commissions.  However, not all was well.  While the Protestant Reformation was expanding, the Pope convened a council of Catholic church leaders.   One important outcome of the council was to define what would be acceptable art, music, and architecture. Religious images were to promulgate the church.  Works were to be simple, clear, realistic, easy to understand, tell a story, and appeal to the masses. Approved subjects were stories from the old and new testaments, saints and martyrs.

Artists responded.  They created realistic, emotional, theatrical and dramatic images.  Drama was enhanced through the use of chiaroscuro.    The style was called Baroque.  Examples of Renaissance and Baroque works will be shown.

CIAO members have received the Zoom invitation and link by email.