Renaissance and Baroque Art and the Protestant Reformation
The Reformation
The Reformation, a movement that broke the unity of Christianity, began in 16th-century Europe, dividing the religion into Catholic and Protestant branches. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, the Church had heavily influenced Europe. The 11th century saw the first major division of the Christian world between the East and West, with followers of the Pope in Rome. By the 16th century, the Roman Catholic Church had a strong pyramidal structure headed by the Pope.
Art and Culture
The modern era is characterized by a series of changes and renewed knowledge and beliefs that marked the end of the medieval period.
- Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543): Proposed a heliocentric view of the universe, with the sun, not the Earth, at the center.
- Johannes Kepler (1571-1630): Calculated the movements of planets around the sun.
The Renaissance
Originating in 15th-century Italy, the Renaissance was an artistic and cultural movement that spread throughout Europe in the 16th century. Born in Florence, it marked a shift from medieval art. Its objectives were to revive the classical world, discover real space (through geometry and mathematics), and pursue beauty.
Architecture
Renaissance architecture is dominated by curved lines, a sense of dynamism, and contrasts in light and form. Churches and buildings often featured elliptical and oval domes and ornate decoration. Key figures include:
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680)
- Francesco Borromini (1599-1667)
- Filippo Juvarra (1678-1736)
Baroque Art
Baroque art emerged in Italy in the late 16th century and spread across Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It rejected Renaissance values, emphasizing passion, dynamism, drama, and strong contrasts.
Sculpture
Baroque sculpture is characterized by the representation of movement, dynamism, realism, drama, and mythological themes.
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a movement that initiated the rupture of Christian unity in 16th-century Europe, leading to the division between Catholicism and Protestantism. This division had its roots in the decline of the Roman Empire’s authority.
The Counter-Reformation
The Catholic Church reacted to the Reformation with a series of measures known as the Counter-Reformation. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) played a crucial role. Lasting 18 years, the council:
- Reaffirmed Catholic dogma.
- Addressed inappropriate and immoral behavior among the clergy.
- Reinforced the Pope’s authority.
- Promoted the spread of Catholicism through the creation of catechisms and Catholic schools.
- Fought against Protestantism and its expansion.
- Maintained loyalty and obedience to the Pope, who oversaw schools and education.
General Characteristics of Renaissance Architecture
Renaissance architecture emphasized balanced and symmetrical compositions, proportion, beauty, light, and color. It mimicked reality, albeit in an idealized way, and often featured natural elements and human figures. Perspective and elegant balance were also key features.
Sculpture
During the 15th and 17th centuries, important sculptors worked in Florence. They preferred classical models for statues and reliefs, often using marble and bronze. The human figure was a fundamental subject, depicted in mythological, biblical, or elegant poses. Sculptures emphasized natural and sincere expression, proportionality, harmony, and balance.
Painting
Renaissance painting was completely original, often focusing on religious and mythological themes. It introduced depth perspective, specific color treatments, and the use of light and shade.
Baroque Art
Baroque art, originating in Italy at the end of the 16th century, flourished in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It reflected the psychological climate of the 17th century—a time of crisis, pessimism, war, famine, and death. The Counter-Reformation sought to strengthen faith, and Baroque art served as a powerful tool. It rejected the Renaissance values of balance, measure, serenity, and harmony, instead embracing spectacular ornamentation, passion, exuberance, dynamism, drama, and strong contrasts. This period coincided with the Golden Age of Spanish arts and literature.
The New Doctrine
The new Protestant doctrine was based on:
- Free reading and interpretation of the Bible (including translations into vernacular languages).
- Denial of the power of works to forgive sins, emphasizing faith alone.
- Rejection of the authority of the clergy and the seven sacraments, recognizing only baptism and the Eucharist.
- Rejection of celibacy and the possession of land and luxuries.