Italian Baroque's love of dramatic effects in artistic expression is one of the most recognizable characteristics of Italian Baroque. Architecture, music, painting and sculpture all have great examples that use dramatic effects very effectively. In the next few minutes, we will explore an example of each and highlight the different features that illustrate the dramatic effects that characterize Italian Baroque. We will begin with Artemisia Gentileschi's painting, Judith and the Handmaiden with the Head of Holofernes. We will then explore Francesco Borromini's design for San Carlo alle Quattro. Next, we will look at the sculpture David by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Finally, we will discuss the oratorio Messiah by George Frederick Handel. Artemisia Gentileschi was a member of the Florentine Academy of Design and a disciple of Caravaggio, an eminent painter. One of her most important works is Judith and the Handmaiden with the Head of Holofernes in which she depicts herself as Judith. In this painting there are many good examples of dramatic effects. She uses space, lighting and other features to do more than just tell the story. It makes the viewer participate in the scene. The most dramatic effect is the illustration of the maid wrapping Holofernes' head in a towel. In the painting, she also depicts himself holding his sword, implying that he died by his own sword. The story depicted in the painting is very dramatic in itself. The story is about a beautiful young woman who infiltrates the enemy camp to kill its leader. It depicts Judith blocking the candlelight from her eyes so that she can see into the night outside the frame of the painting. By showing Judith and the maid looking outward, the middle of the paper and highlighted elements showed many of the main characteristics of Italian Baroque art. Specifically, they showed movement, dramaturgy, contrasts, and other dynamics. I hope you enjoyed our learning adventure.Works CitedCommons, Creative. San Carlo at the Quattro Fontane — Wikimedia Commons. 06 07 2010. 02 07 2011 .Sayre, Henry M. The culture, continuity and change of the human sciences. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc., 2008. Sullivan, Mary Ann. Images of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (facade) by Borromini, 1665-76, Rome. Digital imaging project. 2005. 02 02 2011 .—. Images of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane by Borromini. 2006. 02 02 2011 .