Baroque Art: Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting
Baroque Architecture
General Features
Baroque architecture fully integrates into its urban environment and landscape. The concept of the capital city emerges in this period as a result of the birth of the modern state. This focus on urban planning (spatial distribution, main routes, major landmarks, etc.) is a significant contribution of Baroque architecture, with Rome as a prime example. Baroque architecture marks a strong break from Renaissance classicism, integrating sculpture and painting into a Gesamtkunstwerk.
Materials and Construction Elements
Stone remains the primary material, but marble (especially in interiors) and brass are also used to highlight decorative aspects. The use of various materials in a single work creates polychrome effects, emphasizing the theatrical and dramatic nature of Baroque architecture. Classical elements like the colossal order persist, while spiral columns, stipes, curved pediments, and other playful elements are introduced. The semicircular arch is preferred, along with barrel vaults and lunettes. Domes are prominent, featuring innovations like oval or stellate shapes. A key aspect of Baroque architecture is the definition of a new spatial concept. In contrast to the closed, static spaces of the Renaissance, Baroque architecture defines an infinite, open, and dynamic space of high complexity. Illusionistic painting, mirrors, and the breakup of straight lines create contrasts of light and shadow and a sense of movement, blurring the building’s boundaries and giving a sense of unlimited space.
Architectural Styles
The most representative architectural styles are the temple and the palace.
- The Temple: These religious buildings aim to evoke emotional attachment in the faithful through sensory experience, employing luxurious decoration, abundant imagery, and beautiful vestments. Basilicas, with their longitudinal axis leading to the altar, are common. Centralized plans (circular, elliptical, octagonal) are also used. Unified spaces with good acoustics and visibility are preferred. Facades serve as attractions, initially resembling Renaissance facades but later reflecting Baroque characteristics like movement and decorative exuberance.
- The Palace: Symbolic of absolute monarchy, the palace is exemplified by Versailles. Baroque architecture served the powerful, with absolute monarchies using it to reflect their authority.
Bernini and Borromini
Italy, with Bernini and Borromini, was a major center of Baroque architecture. Both began in the studio of St. Peter’s, but their careers and artistic personalities differed. Bernini, an architect, painter, and sculptor, developed his career mainly in Rome. His work reflects the Baroque style, particularly his mastery of movement. Borromini’s work marks a departure from Renaissance tradition. His architecture is expressive, even with simple materials, characterized by curved walls and a dynamic conception of space.
Versailles, Palace of Power
French Baroque architecture, exemplified by Versailles, presents differences from the Italian Baroque. It is considered classical due to its balanced and sober architecture, simpler plans, severe facades, respect for proportions, and avoidance of strong light-shadow contrasts. French Baroque architecture is linked to the court and absolute monarchy.
Baroque Architecture in Spain
Despite economic and political decline, 17th-century Spain experienced artistic splendor, with a predominance of religious architecture, except in Madrid, where the court resided. Architect Juan Gómez de Mora designed numerous projects in Madrid, including the Plaza Mayor. Spanish squares, originating in Castile, trace their history back to the Greek agora and Roman forum. In the Middle Ages, the square was a public space surrounded by buildings serving various urban roles. In the modern era, these marketplaces became more centrally located. The arrival of the Bourbons in 1700 ushered in a French and Italian-inspired architectural movement, reviving Baroque architecture in Spain.
Baroque Sculpture
General Characteristics
Baroque sculpture breaks with classical language, emphasizing the integration of arts (architecture, sculpture, and painting) to create striking scenery. Naturalism, reflecting the rise of science, is a defining feature. Artists aimed for realistic representations of humans and their surroundings. Religious iconography transformed, depicting sacred figures realistically. Baroque sculpture explores inner life, portraying feelings and emotions through looks and gestures. Mystical experience is a frequent subject. Martyrdom representations express suffering and pain. Baroque art breaks the barrier between artwork and the real world, placing the subject in the viewer’s space. Light plays a crucial role, symbolizing divine presence. Movement is another achievement, reflecting themes with open compositions and elements like flowing cloth or hair. Religious themes remain important, serving the Counter-Reformation. Mythological themes and urban sculptures (e.g., fountains) also gain prominence. Marble and other materials are combined to create visual effects. Bernini is a key figure in Roman Baroque sculpture.
Bernini
Bernini, a representative of Baroque sculpture, was influenced by Michelangelo. He developed his career mainly in Rome, becoming a complete artist. His sculpture includes works for St. Peter’s, Roman churches, portraits, and urban works like the Fountain of Four Rivers. He demonstrated technical virtuosity and a mastery of movement and emotion.
Spanish Baroque Sculpture
Spanish Baroque sculpture is profoundly religious, characterized by realism and intense emotion. Devotional images of Christ, the Virgin, and saints reflect the Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on image worship. Processional figures, both individual and group, were also created. Altarpieces, following Renaissance precedents but with greater exuberance, depict religious scenes with expressiveness and drama. Painted wood, often enhanced with real hair, nails, and glass eyes, was the primary material. Two schools stand out in the first half of the 17th century: the Castilian school (Gregorio Fernández) and the Andalusian school (Martinez Montañés in Seville and Alonso Cano in Granada). Francisco Salzillo gained prominence in Murcia in the 18th century.
Gregorio Fernández
Fernández’s work is characterized by realism and dramatic drapery influenced by Flemish painting. He emphasized polychrome and created altarpieces and processional figures. His devotional images are significant.
Andalusian School
Martinez Montañés’s works have a painterly quality. Alonso Cano, an architect, sculptor, and painter, created delicate works with serene beauty and idealization.
Francisco Salzillo
Salzillo, rooted in the Neapolitan world, had a strong sense of style and anatomical knowledge.
Painting
General Characteristics
Baroque painting, rich and abundant, adorned churches, palaces, and homes. Naturalism, reflecting the influence of science, is a key characteristic, often accompanied by symbolism. Religious themes dominate, with sacred characters portrayed realistically. Mystical experiences, martyrdoms, and deaths of saints are common subjects. Landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes gain importance. Landscapes and natural phenomena are valued independently. Still lifes, realistically depicting vases, fruits, and food, sometimes have symbolic meaning. Portraits capture individuals and social groups, aiming for fidelity and inner life. Mythological, allegorical, and historical themes decorate palaces. Baroque painting breaks the barrier between artwork and reality, drawing the viewer into the scene. Light defines space, sometimes external, sometimes emanating from within. Dynamism characterizes compositions, with open and diagonal schemes. Oil painting on canvas or board and fresco painting are primary techniques. Color varies across schools and artists.
Italy: Caravaggio and Tenebrism
Caravaggio’s religious paintings reflect Counter-Reformation ideas with everyday simplicity. His use of light, known as tenebrism, is revolutionary. His study of faces is also notable.
The Netherlands: Rubens and Rembrandt
Rubens, a prolific painter, explored various subjects, influenced by Flemish and Italian painting. Rembrandt’s mastery of light is extraordinary, creating multiple intensities in shadows. He painted religious works, portraits, landscapes, and mythological scenes.
Spanish Baroque Painting
The 17th century is the Golden Age of Spanish painting, with important schools in Valencia, Seville, and Madrid. Religious themes dominate, serving the Church and Crown. Realism is a defining characteristic. Early artists show tenebrist influence, later evolving towards brighter palettes.
Valencian School
Religious themes, often depicting martyrs and hermits, are common. Portraits are rare.
Seville: Zurbarán and Murillo
Zurbarán captured the austerity of monastic life. Murillo’s work evolved from tenebrism to rich colors. He painted religious scenes with simplicity, tenderness, and serenity, excelling in Immaculate Conception depictions and childhood scenes.
Madrid: Velázquez
Velázquez, a remarkable painter, began with tenebrist naturalism. His early paintings are realistic, with ochre tones dominating. He mastered aerial perspective, creating atmospheric effects. Portraits of the royal family and court jesters are prominent, showcasing his skill in capturing personality and inner life. He also painted mythological works and landscapes, with religious themes less present.