1. Chapter 8 Prelude: The Late Baroque Period
Absolutism and the Age of Science

2. Key Terms
Baroque
Absolutism
Age of Science
Theatricality

3. Late Baroque Timeline

4. Absolutism and the Age of Science
Age of Absolutism
Divine right of kings–rise of absolute monarch
Pomp and splendor of royal courts
Age of Science
Development of scientific method, habits of scientific experimentation and proof
New understandings of natural world stimulated technology & philosophy
Important dualism–pomp & extravagance vs. system & logic

5. Age of Absolutism
Decreasing power of Church contributed to rise of absolute monarchs
King Louis XIV of France the most powerful monarch in European history
Louis celebrated himself in opulent, extravagant art, architecture, and music
Lesser kings and nobles emulated pomp and splendor of French court

6. Age of Science Use of scientific method led to many new discoveries
Theory of gravity (Newton)
Laws of mechanics (Newton)
Invention of calculus (Leibniz & Newton)
Telescope and microscope
Discoveries influenced both technology and philosophy
Advent of empiricism–Descartes, Locke, Hume

7. Art and Absolutism
Patronage of arts rose to new heights, especially in France
All aspects of French life revolved around royal court
French artists expected to symbolize majesty of the state in their work
Versailles the largest, most imitated palace in history
Music and art also epic in scale

8. The Music of Absolutism
Music required for all aspects of court life
Large festive orchestra (with trumpets & drums) used to pay homage to nobles
Opera closely associated with royal courts
The most lavish, spectacular entertainment of the Baroque era
Stories about heroes of mythology & history
Often allegorical tributes to noble patrons
Grand amalgam of many arts–music, drama, art, architecture, dance, etc.

9. Art and Theatricality
Baroque obsession with emotions & emotional extremes
Led to fascination with the theatre
All arts take on a dramatic quality with theatrical gestures, strong contrasts
Baroque highlights—
Theatre–Shakespeare, Corneille, Racine
Art–Tiepolo, Guercino, Rembrandt
Music–invention of opera

10. Science and the Arts Impact of science on many arts In painting—
Precise, realistic use of detail & perspective (scientific observation)
New attention to light (optics)
In architecture—
Symmetry & geometry of palaces (Versailles)
Human regulation of nature (formal gardens)
In theater
Mathematics of set design (Bibiena)

11. Science and Music (1) Scales tuned (tempered) more precisely
All 24 major & minor scales now usable
More systematic, logical use of harmony
Stronger pull toward tonic
New regularity in rhythm
Strong beat, steady meter, repeated patterns
Use of orderly formal schemes
Musical time divided and filled systematically
Allowed long pieces to retain logic, coherence

12. Science and Music (2)
Even musical expression was affected by scientific thought
Emotions now analyzed & classified (Descartes)
Systematic use of specific melodic motives, rhythms, & keys to express each emotion (Doctrine of Affections)
Rational effort to maximize expression