1. Protestant Reformation Vs. Catholic Counter- Reformation
How it effected Art

2. Protestant Reformation
Generally Northern Europe
Began in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses On the Power of Indulgences on a church door.
Basically Luther’s complaints on the ideas of Catholic Church (too strict and corrupt)
The church should be changed (or reformed) so that it was less greedy, fairer and accessible to all people, not just the rich and well educated

3. Change in Art
During Middle Ages, art focused on religious content with symbolism (not realistic)
Renaissance artists changed symbolist content to realistic humanist content
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci—created paintings and sculptures in idealistic human form (ideal beauty)

4. Change in Art cont.
Protestant leaders denounced the Catholic imagery as “idol worship” and called for its destruction
Main issues with Protestant Reformation was Catholics worshipping images of Virgin Mary and saints
Protestants believe you can reach God directly through Jesus, not by worshipping saints and the Virgin Mary

5. The Result Less images of Bible stories
More images of everyday activities and scenes from nature (Bruegel)
Portrait painting became popular (Titian)

6. Ideal Beauty? Martin Luther maintained that humanity is perfection
Result:
Less “perfect” bodies
Less pictures of crucifixion
Less artwork of saints and Virgin Mary
More artwork of modern life and narrative stories from Bible (not idealistic)

7. By Jan Van Eyck Painting of a wedding Full of symbolism
Not ideal worship of God, but real

8. Counter-Reformation
In late 1540’s, Catholic Church became “threatened” by Protestants
Formed Council of Trent
Met periodically between 1545 and 1563 to reform the Protestant-Reformation
Decided that art of the church should be direct and not contain symbols or “incidentals”
Nudity should be avoided at all costs
Focus on the Madonna, Saints, and crucifixion

9. Passion of Christ
Counter-Reformation stated that art should portray God in the “natural beauty of his creation and by depicting people who were created in His image.”
Art for the church was strictly to be religious for the purpose of glorifying God and Catholic traditions
No “irregular” images

10. Passion Lamentation by Scipione Pulzone
Focus directly on crucifixion (no symbols)
Christ is the ideal human image
Perfect Counter-Reformation art

11. Sistine Madonna By Raphael Madonna holding baby Jesus
Two saints: St. Sixtus and St. Barbara
Two cherubs

12. Protestant Last Supper

13. Protestant Art Originally titled Last Supper by Veronese
Regarded as inappropriate by Catholics
Too messy—full of “buffoons, drunken Germans, dwarfs, and other such scurrilities”
Veronese told to change the painting by council of Trent
Name changed to Feast in the House of Levi instead

14. Counter-Reformation
Corruption of the Roman-Catholic Church was dramatically reformed
Bishops visited churches regularly to keep tabs on clergy and maintain proper worship
No longer threatened by Protestants
Began to branch out

15. Strength
Counter-Reformation grew stronger and began to take their teachings to other nations
Missionaries to Americas, Africa, India, and Asia
Used art as a means of speaking
Counter-Reformation art can be found all over the world