Famous Baroque Paintings

The Baroque movement was a period In history during the 16th and 17th centuries. These paintings dramatized certain events and incorporated a high level of realistic detail as well as stark contrasts between light and dark.

Las Meninas Diego Velazquez

Spanish artist Diego Velazquez had the talent to capture the personality of each figure he painted. He created this artwork in 1656 featuring the Spanish royal family gathered together at the Royal Alcazar of Madrid. In the painting is a young girl, Infanta Margaret Theresa, the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain. She is being fitted for a dress. Velazquez also included himself in the artwork standing behind a canvas with a paintbrush in his hand.

The Nightwatch Rembrandt van Rijn

Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn created this artwork which is considered to be one of the greatest paintings of the Dutch Golden Age. The painting was done in 1642. It depicts a situation when Captain Frans Bannick Cocq was leading his Dutch soldiers through a city during a military campaign. This artwork was originally commissioned by Captain Bannick Cocq and meant to commemorate his valiant soldiers who were successful during the mid-17th century battles.

Allegory of War Jan Brueghel the Younger

Flemish Baroque artist Jan Brueghel the Younger created this artwork which is considered to be one of the most famous Baroque paintings ever created. The artist created this painting in the 1640s toward the end of the Thirty Years War. The painting depicts guns, swords, and skulls strewn about to symbolize the extreme level of death and destruction the war had brought to the European people. The animals in the painting represent zodiac symbols.

The Entry of the Animals in Noah’s Ark Jan Brueghel the Elder

Flemish artist Jan Brueghel the Elder was known for painting mythological and religious scenes. He created this painting in 1613. The artwork depicts the story of Noah leading all the animals in the world into a massive ark that would take them through the flood water created by the wrath of God. The painting was done to portray the moment Noah led the animals onto the Ark.

The Abduction of the Sabine Women Nicolas Poussin

French artist Nicolas Poussin was the leading painter of the classical French Baroque style. He created this painting in 1634 and it's recognized for its high element of drama and vibrant colors. The subject comes from a well-known Roman mythological tale. The artwork depicts a story involving the Sabine women being invited to a festival where Roman men intended to forcibly take the women as their own wives. The moment depicted on canvas is when the nation’s leader, Romulus, raises his cloak to signal that the women should be taken.

The Education of the Princess Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was known to create artwork focusing on scenes from religious or mythological stories. This painting was created between 1622 and 1625 and is known as a Baroque masterpiece. The artwork depicts Marie de’ Medici helped in her quest for wisdom and knowledge by three mythological gods, Apollo, Hermes, and Athena. These three gods were said to have instructed her in the most important aspects of her Queenly duties and provided her with lessons that were of the utmost importance to her during the time she ruled.

Judgment of Paris Peter Paul Rubens

Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens created this painting in 1636. It depicts Paris and Mercury sitting by on the other side of the canvas. The scene is from the story by Lucian “Judgment of the Goddesses”. It was commissioned by Cardinal Infante Ferdinand of Austria the brother of Philip IV of Spain.

The Battle of the Amazons Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder

Flemish artists Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder were two of the most legendary Baroque painters in history. They combined their efforts to create this most notable masterpiece of the Baroque era. The artwork was done in 1598. The painting features a lot of aspects that are similar to a masterpiece done by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci who also did a painting that centered around the Battle of the Amazons.