Characterize the main concerns of Baroque art

Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation decided that art of the church had become too decorative and had lost focus on subject matter Decided art should be direct, compelling, and accurate

Catholic Popes- financed magnificent cathedrals and grand works to display their faith’s triumph after the Counter Reformation. They also wanted to attract new worshippers by overwhelming them with theatrical, “must see” architecture. Monarchs- designed palaces to impress visitors with the power and grandeur of the king, and to glorify themselves.

Renaissance art was Orderly Rational Proportional Believable sense of space and weight Mannerism Elongated Dramatic Chaotic Unusual use of color and light

overly emotional dramatic action, tension and strain more energetic than earlier styles artists pursued the study of nature directly violent narratives color and light are dramatically contrasted surfaces are richly textured space is usually asymmetrical and lacks the appearance of controlled linear perspective believable sense of weight and space landscape, genre, and still life gain new status

Baroque artists chose the most dramatic moment when the action was occurring as their composition. The most common element throughout Baroque styles was the sensitivity to and absolute mastery of light to achieve maximum emotional impact.

Bernini designed a colonnade at the entrance to St. Peter’s 284 columns in the colonnade. Ninety larger-than-life statues of saints. This is where the people receive the Pope’s blessing. Huge plaza, holds half a million people. Often called “St. Peter’s Square”. Colonnade acts a dramatic gesture of embracing arms, symbolically bringing the faithful into the church. Shaped like a skeleton keyhole-St. Peter holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

100 ft. high canopy over the altar, above St. Peter’s tomb Serves as focal point of the church’s interior Twisted columns that spiral upward Lost wax casting-5 sections 4 angels stand guard at the top Forming the canopy’s apex are four serpentine brackets that support the orb and the cross

Features lots of bees, and suns: symbols of the Barberini family (family name of the Pope at the time, Pope Urban VIII) Dark bronze contrasts against the light marble

Aims at catching the figures split-second action the dramatic moment when he’s about to sling the stone Has muscular legs widely and firmly planted- he is beginning the violent pivoting motion that will launch the stone from his sling- Tense muscular body, knotted brows, focused eyes express his unwavering resolve.

Meant to be viewed from all sides. Seems to be moving through time and space Harp at David’s feet symbolizes his role as a psalmist (poet). The face is an idealized self portrait of Bernini.

St. Theresa’s diary writes of an angel of God plunging a fire-tipped arrow of divine love into her side repeatedly while she was in a trance A mingling of spiritual and physical passion Whole sculptural group made up of white marble Yellow glass pours down on bronze rays that suggest the radiance of heaven

Whole altarpiece throbs with emotion, drama, and passion. Figures appear to be floating. Bernini even created balconies around the statue, resembling theater boxes, creating a stage-like setting. He included members of the Corano family, the patrons, inside the theater boxes.