9: The Beginning of Colonization (1550 CE – 1750 CE)
- Page ID
- 308315
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The beginning of Colonization was dominated by the superpowers in Europe, changing the world and local culture forever, decimating indigenous populations. The stylistic, complex art of the Baroque and Rococo period was a depiction of the broader cultural and intellectual divides in Europe. Although the art methods of the Baroque and Rococo may have traveled to other continents through imperialism, it is not always apparent in the art produced in other countries. Art outside of Europe was thriving in Asia, North America, Japan, and Africa in other forms with a different look and feel than the Baroque art in Europe; art designed to fit the culture and materials of the country where the artist resided. This chapter, The Beginning of Colonization, is divided into the Baroque/Rococo Art periods in Europe, the influence colonization had in Mexico, and the art other parts of the world painted, sculpted, or built.
- 9.1: Overview
- The European superpowers dominated the early period of colonization, permanently transforming global cultures and societies while devastating many Indigenous populations through violence, disease, and displacement. At the same time, Europe experienced major artistic and intellectual changes reflected in the highly dramatic styles of the Baroque and Rococo periods. These artistic movements revealed the broader political, religious, and cultural divisions within Europe.
- 9.2: Northern European Baroque (1580s– early 1700)
- Contrasting the artists in Catholic countries, the Baroque artists in Protestant areas painted in the realism manner, artists, created still life and nature-related paintings. A greater realism or naturalistic composition evolved, leading to a new form of classicalism adopted from ancient Greek and Roman art.
- 9.3: Italian Baroque (1580s– early 1700)
- Italy pioneered the Baroque period when the artists combined the great painting style of the renaissance with the emotional drama of the Mannerism period. Italy was the center of art for over two centuries, and the Baroque period was no exception as it spread throughout Europe.
- 9.4: Spanish Baroque (1580s– early 1700)
- Spanish Baroque ushered in visual realism similar to the rest of Europe with fluid brushstrokes and no visible outlines, often somber or gloomy. Spain had fought and lost wars with the Netherlands and England, draining their finances.
- 9.5: Mexican Baroque (1640 – mid 1700s)
- The Mexican Baroque period developed as Spanish artistic traditions blended with Indigenous Mexican cultures after colonization. Spanish immigrants brought European Baroque architecture, sculpture, and painting styles to New Spain, where Indigenous artists and craftspeople adapted these forms using local materials, colors, and decorative traditions.
- 9.6: Rococo (1730 – 1760)
- The Rococo period developed in Europe during the early 18th century as a lighter and more playful continuation of the late Baroque style. While Baroque art emphasized drama, emotional intensity, and deep shadows, Rococo art favored elegance, movement, intimacy, and decorative beauty. Artists used brilliant pastel colors, delicate brushwork, and graceful compositions that contrasted sharply with the darker and more serious tone of Baroque painting.
- 9.7: Benin Kingdom (1100 – 1897)
- The historic Kingdom of Benin was one of the oldest and most sophisticated kingdoms in West Africa and should not be confused with the modern Republic of Benin. Located in present-day Nigeria, the kingdom reached its height during the 15th and 16th centuries, when European traders and explorers established commercial relationships with the region.
- 9.8: Mughal Period (1526 – 1857)
- The Mughal Empire extended far and wide throughout much of the Indian-subcontinent, and during the golden age, art flourished. Art was a cultural practice revered by the Mughal court, and much of the art was secular in subject matter. Mughal painting developed from illustrated manuscript traditions and was influenced by Persian, Indian, and European styles.
- 9.9: Kano School (Late 15th century – 1868)
- According to Japanese history, the Kano Art School was the most influential school of painting in Japan and existed for more than 300 years. The school shaped generations of artists and developed a wide range of styles, themes, and formats often connected to Zen philosophy. Founded by Kano Masanobu, the school was strongly influenced by Chinese painting styles, using brushes, ink, and limited color pigments.
- 9.10: Qing Period (1636 – 1911)
- The Qing Dynasty was the last great imperial dynasty of China. The dynasty was established when the Manchus conquered the weakened Han Chinese government, which had been struggling with internal conflicts. The Qing rule lasted nearly 300 years and greatly expanded China’s territory, population, and economic power. During this time, the population grew from about 150 million to more than 450 million people.
- 9.11: Conclusion and Contrast
- Art and individual artists flourished during this period, developing new techniques and ideas that ranged from the dark, dramatic colors of the Baroque in Europe to the refined and stylized landscapes of Asia. As cultures expanded beyond their traditional boundaries through trade, diplomacy, and travel, they carried their artistic traditions and methods with them.