Grossmont College Caravaggio and Rembrandt Paintings Discussion

Watch each of the excellent videos, at the bottom of this page, to gain a solid understanding about the life and work of Baroque artists Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Watch enough of the videos so that you understand the primary personal and social forces that drove each of these artists to create. As you watch each video, do the following:

Take notes about the key ideas and concepts that directly relate to what you will need to write about in each paragraph of your essay, explained in Step Two. Include your own ideas and insights.

Identify and list a few works by each artist that you find to be the most powerful and/or moving.

• Based on what you have learned, select your favorite artist.
• Step Two: Post in the Class Discussion
• Your post is worth 80 possible points

Write a 550-750 word analysis in which you will examine, compare, and evaluate the work of Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Organize your analysis into four paragraphs, listed below, and follow the instructions. It may be helpful to use headings. 

At the beginning of each paragraph, write a concise topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph is about. This topic sentence will help frame the controlling argument for each paragraph and will help your reader follow your key ideas.

Paragraph One: Subject and Overall Style

This paragraph should be between  100-150 words.

Post an image of a painting by both Rembrandt and Caravaggio.

Briefly state and describe the subject of each painting, then summarize and explain how each is a good example of the artist’s overall style and approach to painting. 

Paragraph Two: Personal and Social Context

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.

Summarize and explain the primary personal and social forces that motivated each artist to approach their work in such a unique and powerful way. 

What was happening in each of the artists’ personal lives?

What was happening in the society around them?

Who were their patrons? Who commissioned their work and why?

How do these factors impact the meaning conveyed in the paintings you posted?

Refer to the notes that you took while watching each video. Focus on the key ideas and concepts from the videos. You will not need to refer to other sources from the internet. 

Paragraph Three: Stylistic Similarities and Differences

This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.

The religious and/or social developments that occurred during the Baroque period are reflected in the formal style (visual and formal characteristics) of each artist’s work.

In this paragraph, summarize and explain the most important similarities and differences between Rembrandt’s style (Holland) and Caravaggio’s style (Italy). The reading and study guides for pages 294-298 of Artforms will help reinforce what you learn from the videos.

Support your key points with descriptive references to the visual and formal characteristics in each of the works of art you posted. Again, refer to the notes that you took while watching each video. Focus on the key ideas and concepts from the videos and not on other sources from the internet. 

• Paragraph Four: Preference and Evaluation
• This paragraph should be between 150-200 words.
• State your preference. Then, evaluate and thoroughly explain why you prefer the work of the artist you selected over that of the other artist. Support your reasoning with direct references to the artist and painting you selected.
• You may wish to consider the following:

What initial ideas or feelings come to mind after experiencing the work of art?

Do you identify with the work? Based on your life experiences, is it personally relevant to you?

What is it about the work of art that you like the most? The message? The way it was made or composed? 

Are you engaged by the formal characteristics, such as the way the artist used light, color, texture, space, scale, etc?

Do you think your experience of the work is the same as what the artist intended?

Step Three: Respond to Two Classmates

Each post is worth 10 possible points (20 points total)

Next, review the posts of your classmates. Post a thorough and cogent response to a post by two different classmates (at least 100 words each). Add a new insight to the discussion that helps the reader better understand the work of Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Consider the following:

Do you agree with your classmate’s analysis and interpretation? Why or why not?

Did they leave out something important? If you think so, introduce this to the discussion.

Did you find something interesting in the post, but you don’t fully understand? Politely ask them to clarify for you.

Grading

This Discussion topic is broadly framed and there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, you will be graded on how well you demonstrate your ability to think clearly about this topic and to logically support your ideas with concepts from the readings and videos, as well as your own observations, ideas and insights.

Before you submit your posts, take a little more time to proofread and revise your work to make sure that what you write actually conveys what you intend to say. Your posts must be clearly-written, well-supported, grammatically correct, and free of spelling and punctuation errors. This is a college level assignment!

Please review the Grading Rubric before you begin. You can view the Grading Rubric by clicking the three dots in the upper right of this page, then click “Show Rubric.” Here are more instructions for viewing the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.).

Earn a High Grade

• Before you begin, read all of the instructions, as well as the rubric.
• Focus on the key ideas contained in the reading and videos listed on this page.
• Start with an outline and organize your main points into separate topical paragraphs.
• Write concise and complete sentences that clearly convey what you intend to say.
• Write in third person, present tense, as much as possible.

Support your statements with careful observations about each work of art.

Include your own insights that support your main points.

Assignment Feedback

I care very much about the quality of the work you submit and I will carefully read, evaluate, and provide feedback on your post within approximately one week after you submit responses to your classmates. I appreciate your patience while I assess your work.

Click this link for instructions on how to view assignment comments from your instructor. (Links to an external site.)

• Submission Resources
• How do I reply to a discussion as a student? Canvas Guide
• Discussions Overview Video Guide

Rembrandt

Please watch this four-part video series about the life and art of Rembrandt. This is part one.

As you watch the video, pay close attention to both the form and context of Rembrandt’s life and work. Take note of the formal stylistic characteristics as well as the personal and/or social forces that drove Rembrant to approach his work in such a unique and powerful way.

Caravaggio

Please watch this four-part video series about the life and art of Caravaggio. This is part one.

As you watch the video, pay close attention to both the form and context of Caravaggio’s life and work. Take note of the formal stylistic characteristics as well as the personal and/or social forces that drove Caravaggio to approach his work in such a unique and powerful way.