In SMART, earlier this month we learned about Dutch Baroque paintings. During the Dutch Baroque period, artists expressed their society’s values through their art. As a newly found republic, they had a strong appreciation for the everyday man. They believed that every person played an important role in society. They were also Calvinists, a strict branch of protestant, which believed in the importance of charity and being a kind person while they are on Earth because material items do not last past life on Earth. Dutch Baroque is still seen today, but typically in more subtle ways. An example of this is Johnny Cash’s music video for his cover of the song “Hurt”.
To relate this to our lives, as a class, we created a list of values that we believe our society finds important. Some of these included communication, happiness, individuality, equality, and ambition.
Kaylyn, Regina, Becca, and Alex decided they wanted to express communication and happiness through their collage by showing how communication and happiness, representing the bright and sunny objects and colors, interrelate through young children. We can see the children building a city using their childhood blocks, symbolizing the new generation replacing the old and developing their own opinions and values. 
Individuality was another theme that groups could pick for their project. Both groups that chose individuality used animals to display their message. Animals, unlike humans, are not afraid to express themselves and be different. Both the zebra in the field of horses and the parrot in the flock of crows symbolizes the reward and excitement that comes from standing out. One group used the famous quote by Doctor Seuss: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You”. This quote works perfectly with this work of art, demonstrating the power of individuality in a society focused on conformity. Bright colors and large images create visual separation from the other components of the composition. This is to create metaphorical and literal representation of standing out. 
One group took many picture of people with their arms out and palms open. They printed out the pictures of all different kinds of smiling individuals. Glued together in a paper doll fashion, the students display communication, happiness, and friendship. 
Andrew, Grant, and Eric’s values were happiness and they were trying to portray this by putting pictures together into a shape of a smiley face.
The Dutch Baroque period was an extremely unique period in history that produced many works of art. To learn more about this fascinating period in art history, click the links below!
