Baroque

Whenever I see this painting I think of how the music of the Baroque era goes along so well with the art. Baroque music was highly decorative, frilly, if you will. It was rich, almost decadent. Composers of the era include J.S. Bach and Vivaldi.

Here is an URL for a youtube video of a Bach violin concerto. http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=bach&n=21&b=22&ei=utf-8&js=1&fr=ush1-mail&tnr=21&vid=0001301523991 Listen as you look over the Rigaud painting and the paintings of Carravaggio and Rubens. Also keep in mind the Bach was highly religious and wrote much of his music for the Lutheran church so he likely had the same devotion in mind as Carravaggio as he worked.

High Renaissance

The part of the video about Michaelangleo's Rondanini Pieta was particularly moving to me. Some people believe that art, whether sculpture, painting , music or any other type, is the last remnant of materialistic hold on a person's spirit. In other words, once you work through your passion for art there is nothing left but God. Michaelangelo seemed to be at this point. He seemed to be letting go of art despite the fact that he was one of art's greatest master's.