The Renaissance and Reformation: A Transformative Era
Major Renovations in the 16th Century
Economics: With the opening of international trade and banking, money became the driving force of all activity.
Politics: Nation-states arose, and monarchies were strong. Policy followed the guidance of the Church. The conception of life saw the rise of individualism, a critical sense toward authority, and the affirmation of personal liberty.
Changes in the Church
Some Popes and bishops were more concerned with the arts and maintaining their power than with the spirituality of believers. The lower clergy had a less than exemplary life. The people lived a faith deeply influenced by the fear of doomsday and hell.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was one of the protagonists of the religious and political events of the sixteenth century. The proclamation of a plenary indulgence by Pope Leo X, whose economic benefits would cover the construction of the basilica of St. Peter, shocked Luther.
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation swept through Europe. Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church to proclaim himself head of the Anglican Church. John Calvin introduced the Protestant Reformation in Geneva (Switzerland). He claimed that we are all predestined by God to be saved or damned.
The Catholic Reform
The Council of Trent was the longest council in history, convened by Pope Paul III. It had two fundamental purposes: to clarify the contents of the faith against the questions posed by Protestantism and to enact the necessary rules to eliminate abuses and educate the clergy to be better Christians.
Protestantism and Catholicism
Protestantism and Catholicism are two ways of conceiving the Christian life on important issues such as salvation and the Church. Regarding salvation, both agree that humans are sinful, but Luther said that man is fundamentally saved by faith, not by works. The Council of Trent stated that man is saved when he cooperates with the grace of God through good works. On the subject of the Church, Protestants believe that the Bible is the only source of authority, while Catholics believe that both the Bible and the Church have authority.
The Inquisition
The Inquisition arose when civil and religious power assisted in the search for heretics. In Spain, organized by Fray Tomas de Torquemada, it harshly persecuted false converts. These were Jews who had accepted baptism for convenience but continued to practice their religion. The accused were interrogated by torture. The sentences were very diverse: banishment, fines, jail, the sanbenito, or death by fire. The intolerant civil power supported these actions because they also served their purpose.
The Expulsion of the Jews in Spain
The feeling of hatred and mistrust of ethnic and religious groups other than one’s own is a phenomenon whose origin is difficult to pinpoint. Jews were considered guilty of the death of Christ. They were severely persecuted by the Inquisition, which saw in them a threat to the Catholic faith. Discriminatory measures were applied. They were also prohibited from exercising certain professions. They were finally expelled from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.
Artistic Movement: The Renaissance and Baroque
The Renaissance was a new conception of the world and the person. The medieval theocentric system entered a crisis, and humanism spread through Europe. The patronage of the Church made art an effective tool of propaganda to illustrate the guidelines of the Council of Trent. The Baroque was born in Italy in the late sixteenth century and spread to Spain and the Catholic-majority countries.
Baroque Art
Baroque art is the Catholic cultural response to the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic Church understood the great power of art as a propaganda vehicle and used it to dazzle and attract the faithful. Baroque is characterized by curved lines, the play of light and color, movement, drama, and theatricality.
Painting
The Virgin, saints, and the exaltation of faith in the Eucharist are recurring themes. The exaggerated movements, postures, and dramatic gestures seek to stir the faithful.
Sculpture
Spain excelled in imagery, religious polychrome wood sculpture of great realism. It was used as a means of religious instruction, encouraging religious emotion through altarpieces and the steps of Holy Week.