Posted on 09/24/2008 10:37:37 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
A brief history of Baroque
The Council of Trent was initiated in 1545 and the Christian world thrown into a crisis. The Roman Catholic church and its practices, in particular the Indulgence, were contested by supporters of the Reformation, led by Calvin and Luther. The Council lasted 18 years and instead of making amendments, the Catholic church decided to launch an ideological (the Jesuit order) and artistic Counter-Reform. The new artistic style was later to become known as “Baroque” (the term “barocco” comes from Castile in Portugal, and means an irregularly shaped pearl).
The artistic movement originated from the Vatican by the architects and sculptors Bernini and Borromini. It was then taken to Torino by Guarini, an admirer of Borromini. France, land of classicism, of which Versailles was a prominent example, refused Bernini and Guarini’s projects. However they were the model for the Italian states and for the spread of the style to Europe and subsequently to South America.
In the 16th to 18th century, the Liguria, along with the county of Nice and Monaco (which also included Menton) was caught up in the wave of Baroque style. At that time, the county did not belong to France but, since 1388, to the States of the House of Savoy, a state which covered the entire area from the Northern Alpes to the Mediterranean and Piedmont, Torino being the capital.
Baroque and its demonstrative style is the art of the Counter-Reformation. For the first time, architecture, sculptures and paintings blended together and were composed to assist in the propagation of the Catholic faith. Places of worship became theatrical scene sets, the facades performing the role of a sumptuous theatre curtain, the mise en scene of the wings and pediments, sometimes emphasized by the concave and convex curves, invite the faithful to enter. The colored walls distinguish the buildings from earlier edifices and the ternary composition immediately evokes the Holy Trinity. The lines of the entablatures represent the limit between earth and heaven.
Here’s all I remember from college about the the Baroque era: Great music, terrible architecture
Well if it isn’t Baroque, don’t fix it!
Pope Saint Pius V was awesome. He is my hero.
A determined man instead of the politicians that proceeded him. He raised the Catholic Alliance when his predecessors failed.
It is interesting to read in history though that Pius V wanted to raise the league in armed opposition to the armed agression of the Ottoman empire and also protastantism in general and was only prevented in doing so by King Phillip, the merchanitle Venitians (finally turning to confront Islam that they had appeased) and other forces.
With the preservation of besieged Malta by a thread, only the threat to Venitian territory and the ambition of Don Juan of Austria for legitamacy brought about the circumstances that had eluded Christian Europe for a century.
Years ago, in the days of 78-rpm records, The Carpenters had a B-side song called “Flat Baroque” that was a catchy little instrumental.
I prefer the terms, “Revolution” and “Counter-Revolution.” When you set aside the euphemisms, the reality becomes clear.
Very poor phrasing! Like it or hate it, the Council of Trent was begun in 1545 in response to at crisis that was sparked 28 years earlier. This lead-in from the article makes it sound like Trent itself was the spark to a crisis instead of a response to one.
***Here’s all I remember from college about the the Baroque era: Great music, terrible architecture***
You would prefer Rococo?
All I remember about Rococo is that it was Baroque on steroids. Truly hideous.
Correction, the heretic world was thrown into crisis. The Church finally was able to act and condemn the various "itchy ears doctrines" in an Ecumenical Council, which are infallible when defining Christian faith or morals.
The Roman Catholic church and its practices, in particular the Indulgence, were contested by supporters of the Reformation, led by Calvin and Luther. The Council lasted 18 years and instead of making amendments, the Catholic church decided to launch an ideological (the Jesuit order) and artistic Counter-Reform.
Baloney. First, the Council of Trent does address, or "amend" the various points of theology that the reformers disagreed with, such as Indulgences. Secondly, the Catholic Church didn't "launch" the Jesuits. St. Ignatius started the Jesuit order with some men of like minds. Later, his order was approved by Rome (as ALL orders are either approved or disapproved, depending on whether they remain within the dictates of the faith once given).
Baroque and its demonstrative style is the art of the Counter-Reformation. For the first time, architecture, sculptures and paintings blended together and were composed to assist in the propagation of the Catholic faith.
The author continues fumbling the ball. ANYONE who has been to Italy or has seen art from Europe will testify to the fact that the Medieval period produced an incredible amount of art - of the Virgin Mary, of Jesus, of Old Testament figures - for the purpose of propagating the faith. Baroque art was not the "first" to propagate the faith!!! This is utterly ridiculous.
Regards
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