Religion in the Baroque Period Raising of Lazarus, Caravaggio

Reformation in Catholic Church The Protestantism reformation had gained immense power since Martin Luther began his crusade against the Catholic Church in In response, seeing all the power that is had lost, in 1540 the Catholic Church began its own reformation. Heading the reformation was Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. St. Ignatius Loyola, Francisco De Zurbaran Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius Loyola

Spread of Catholicism Catholic missionaries of the monastic orders traveled extensively outside of Europe. The Jesuit order made initial progress in converting many of the populace in both China and Japan. The conversion in Asia was however short lived. In China conflict arose over Confucian rites and in Japan, Catholics began to be seen as seditious. The Catholic missionaries had the largest, longest lasting success in the Spanish colonies of the New World. To this day Catholicism in the primary religion in that part of the world. Catholicism had taken such an effect, that missionaries of other faiths never had much influence. The Catholics of the New World developed their own concepts of the faith, including the dark skin Virgin pictured above. The Virgin of Guadalupe

Council of Trent Reaffirmed all 7 sacraments Cleared up definition of original sin and its consequences Niceno-Constinople Creed declared as basis of faith Old and New Testament canon fixed Declared Luther’s doctrine for justification by faith alone incorrect Guidelines set for to eliminate abuses by clergy Preaching to laity emphasized Intellectual life among clergy encouraged Council of Trent, Titian

Effects of the Catholic Reformation The fervent mysticism of the Catholic Reformation can be seen in the literature and art of the 16 th and 17 th centuries. The Visions of St. Teresa are full of the passion of the religion of the age. “May what was said be of help that the true servant of God might pay no attention to the scarecrows the devils set up in order to cause fear.” The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, Bernini The Italian Baroque artists worked to create animated portrayals of biblical scenes which draw the viewer into the scene as if they are a participant in the story. Judith Slaying Holofernes, Gentileschi

Baroque Protestantism Ascension, Rembrandt

The King James Bible King James Bible, 1611 King James the I of England, Paulus Van Somer James I of England wanted to create and “authorized” English version of the bible. He commissioned the creation of the King James Bible which was published in The language of the King James version of the Bible is indicative of the poetic language of the Baroque, the language of Shakespeare and Donne.

Religious Fervor in Northern Baroque arts The great influence of the zealous Protestantism can be seen in every part of the Northern Baroque culture, from its literature and art to its music. John Donne, Isaac Oliver Johann Sebastian Bach, Elias Gottlob Haussman Both great poets of this period, John Donne and John Milton, author of Paradise Lost were both greatly inspired by their protestant faiths, there works being of a very personal religious nature. The greatest composer of the Northern Baroque, Johann Bach, was inspired in his compositions by religious sermons.