Baroque Art: Between Drama and Devotion

Baroque was born to move, impress, and make you unable to look away. Hello everyone, how are you? I'm Belén Montillas, I'm a geography and history teacher, and today I'm going Attempting to summarize Baroque art in 20 minutes. I'm going to give you all the key points so you can learn. to identify a Baroque artwork, whether architecture, sculpture, or painting. Baroque has several characteristics that make it unmistakable. If I show you these two churches, I'm sure the one on the right seems much more baroque to you than the on the left. That means you already have a correct idea of what baroque is, and it is the excessive decoration and the richness emanating from these works, because they follow the Latin trope of horror vacuity, the fear of empty spaces, since the Baroque will fill every space with decoration possible. Let's begin our journey by briefly discussing the historical context to understand Why is baroque the way it is, or what does the word "baroque" exactly mean? Later we will see the distinctive features and key works of architecture with very peculiar churches, sculptures that appear to Real people, yet at the same time they float, and paintings where I'll show you some trompe-l'œil effects You're going to be amazed by what the Baroque painters were capable of. But we won't only be talking due to European Baroque, as the movement traveled to America, giving rise to a very particular style, New Hispanic Baroque. Before beginning, if you haven't already done so, I would like to encourage you to subscribe to my channel because it's the best way to let me know that you like my content and of Support it and keep watching history and art videos. With that said, let's travel to 17th-century Europe. The first thing we are surely going to wonder is, "But where does such a curious word come from?" Baroque? The word "baroque" comes from Portuguese, literally meaning pearl. irregular, and from there it began to be used to designate something overloaded, extravagant, or the like It was precisely the opposite of the art of the 17th century, which was characterized precisely by its exuberance. In summary, baroque was an artistic movement that originated in the 17th century in Italy and developed throughout Europe, and then traveled to America. It was an art placed at the service of power, primarily of the Catholic Church. But why? Because a man named Martin Luther began the the Protestant Reformation, which caused a major religious split across Europe. That is to say, the Christendom that had been united for centuries began, from Luther's ideas, to split between Protestants, Catholics... although all considered themselves Christians, each believed different dogmas. The main one affected, which was the Catholic Church, seeing that its faithful were they questioned his ideas, he responded through the Counter-Reformation, promoting within the Catholic territories, an art charged with emotion and rich in ornaments to reaffirm the grandeur of his faith in the face of Protestant criticism. This art, driven forward after Council of Trent emphasized elements such as sacred images, which the Protestants rejected them for considering them idolatry, in order to bring the religious message closer to the people and strengthen Catholic dogmas. But the Church was not the only one to use art for this purpose. not only the population, but also the monarchies, which consolidated their absolute power in the 17th century and used art as propaganda to project their grandeur and authority, thus consolidating his image before the people. How? Well, let's take a look. We are going to begin analyzing Baroque architecture with a very characteristic example, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. But is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela purely baroque? Well, yes and no—I'll explain. There are times when the stylistic identification of A church is very difficult to define, as in many cases the styles overlap or blend together. You think these churches and great cathedrals took centuries to build, then tastes and artistic movements changed. That is, it could happen that one was in a church with a Baroque floor plan, featuring Gothic and Renaissance additions, and an enormous portal baroque, as is the case with Obradoiro. What distinguishes a baroque church is its richness, since we usually come across various types of noble materials, such as marbles, bronze, an excess of decorative elements such as pediments, moldings, windows, columns Solomonic, which refers to this type of twisted columns, attached sculptures, painting, lamps, mirrors... adding greater dynamism and theatricality to the building, which was precisely what they were aiming for the architects of the Baroque. It is also possible that we visit a pure Baroque church from its conception, from its base, which can be traditional, that is, rectangular, or even more innovative. Baroque will greatly innovate in architecture, above all. And we will encounter countless elliptical, circular, and mixed plants. Let's look at some examples. to understand it much better. This gentleman is Borromini, and he was the architect of San Carlo. from the Church of Four Fountains and San Ivo to the Sapienza, both churches in Rome, the city of power. Both have an elliptical layout and clusters of curves throughout the building, blending various shapes. concave and convex, making them visually very dynamic and attractive for the human eye. On the other hand, Bernini, whom we will see as the greatest sculptor of the Baroque period, He will be the architect of the Church of San Andrés del Quirinal in Rome, an example of an oval-shaped floor plan. An example of a circular church would be one of my favorite churches, the Church of Santa María de the Health in Venice, whose floor plan is octagonal. And a more traditional one would be, for example, the church Yesú Nuevo in Naples, combining a Latin cross layout with volumes and spaces own curves of the Baroque. During this period, architects also innovated in domes. of churches and palaces, being authentic architectural challenges. One of the most Amazing is the dome of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud in Turin. Guarino Guarini recreates what appears to be an impossible architecture. It arranged a network of nerves that cross over each other, forming a kind of spiral ascending toward the light. The structure, seemingly light but actually complex, symbolizing the soul's ascent toward the divine, as this chapel houses the relic of the Holy Shroud of Jesus, commonly known as the Holy Shroud. The same author is also responsible for the dome of the Church of San Lorenzo, also in Turin. It is a geometric marvel inspired by Hispanic art. Muslim, formed by an eight-pointed star rising in successive levels. Natural light It seeps through the hidden openings, making the space appear to move and transform. from the perspective of seeking that typical theatricality and artistic staging from the Baroque. But the power of the church and the monarchies was reflected not only in buildings, but also in cities and in their urban planning. The space was organized around a central point, with wide, straight streets leading into plazas, which will be the main protagonists of the city, such as the Piazza Navona, the Piazza del Popolo, or the Piazza di Spagna. Moreover, in order to ensure the The promenade will be enjoyable and serve as a display of power, with countless fountains and statues placed throughout. and we will see some of them in the Sculpture section. But undoubtedly, the most baroque square is The most important place in the world belongs to the smallest country in the world, St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. whose heart is the Church of St. Peter itself, which took over a century to build and in the involving various architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Bernini each one making their own contributions. St. Peter's Square is designed to appear oval, but in reality is a perfect ellipse thanks to the interplay of Bernini with the perspective. Have you ever seen anything like the Valdarno of the Vatican, the largest of the world? Or the Reya Scale, a genuine architectural illusion? Bernini also deceived the human eye here to make this staircase appear longer and more majestic. The staircase it is actually very narrow and shallow, but its architect used some perspective tricks, since the columns progressively approach each other and the ceiling rises upward toward background, making it appear from the entrance as a monumental avenue leading toward the light of a grand window, toward the divine light. But it was not all Italy; the Baroque also traveled elsewhere. Spain, Germany, and France, where it will reach the height of Rococo, something akin to a baroque ultracharged yet highly refined. The Palace of Versailles was the symbol of French Baroque. the absolute power of Louis XIV. A palace designed to impress, with large geometric gardens, monumental sources and ornate salons reflecting the glory of the Sun King. The jewel of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors, a kind of theater of power for ceremonies and parades the court, with 17 huge mirrors reflecting the windows and the light entering through them. In Spain we will have something similar, the San Ildefonso Farm, impressive above all for its gardens and enormous sources of mythical beings. In Spain, a great variety of architecture will develop Baroque, beginning with the Heart of Madrid, the Plaza Mayor, where, as you know, the events took place so many autos de fe of the Inquisition. Madrid's Plaza Mayor also has a twin in Salamanca, but if there's a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Spain, it's the striking transparent one. from the Cathedral of Toledo. It is a grand structure combining architecture and sculpture, located behind the main altar. It is called "transparent" because a literal opening was made in the wall. Moreover, the brightness changes throughout the day, bringing the scene to life, an element a very characteristic theatrical feature of the Baroque. When it was inaugurated, the people of Toledo were so amazed that began to say Narciso Tomé, its author, had opened a hole in the sky. But Baroque not only developed in the European continent, but also traveled to America, creating a very distinctive style, the new Hispanic baroque. Although part of Spanish influences, it soon acquires a distinctive, mixed, and original character. becoming a powerful tool for evangelization to move and attract the new ones faithful. We will examine particular features such as the stilted style of the church's façade Old Jesuit College of San Francisco Javier, in Tepoztlán, columns that take on the form of inverted pyramid, and within it we will find wonderful golden altarpieces. Some magnificent examples are the Church of Santa Prisca in Taxco and the Church of San Juan. Bautista, in Coyoacán, or Santo Domingo de Guzmán, in Oaxaca. The first thing that strikes one about Baroque sculpture is its realism and naturalism. It seeks depict real people who suffer, who feel emotion. Do not idealize the characters as not that it had been made centuries ago, but rather that it reveals human truth with all its expressive power and psychological, especially through movement, as occurs in Bernini's Apollo and Daphne. where the nymph, with an anxious expression as she flees from the god, transforms into a laurel just at the very moment Apollo reaches her. And this sculpture also has something very characteristic of Baroque art and Baroque sculpture is the serpentine form, this spiral or serpentine movement that makes the figures appear to rotate around themselves, as if they were alive. Unlike the classical balance of the Renaissance, Baroque seeks dynamism, tension, and emotion, which is why figures are no longer still nor are they symmetrical, the bodies twist, many folds appear in the clothes, and the gazes would go in many directions seeking that theatricality characteristic of the Baroque. Bernini, Since he had little work as an architect, he devoted himself to sculpting such impressive works. like this Apollo and Daphne, and also like David. As you can see here, unlike Donatello or Michelangelo Angel, Bernini depicts them at the precise moment of throwing the stone at Goliath. A The perfect occasion in history for Bernini, as it allows him to reflect human emotions just as concentration and physical effort. One of those works created to impress It was the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, faithfully representing the experience described by the saint. It is a sculpture made of marble and bronze that combines illusionism with plays of light and shadow. theatricality and volume through the folds of the garments, the positioning of the bodies angel and the saint and the golden rays. The angel holds a golden arrow and smiles while he pierces through Teresa's heart, symbolizing divine love and spiritual ecstasy that the saint describes in her autobiography. But perhaps the most impressive masterpiece of Bernini as a sculptor, the Fountain of the Four Rivers from the Zanabona piece in Rome. It represents the four major rivers known at the time in the four continents—the Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia— The Danube in Europe and the River Plate in America, along with animals native to each region of them, like snakes, a lion, and this friendly crocodile. In addition to mythology, the most common themes are habitually religious, especially in Catholic countries, where sculpture seeks move the believer. There are also numerous portraits of kings and nobles, many of them stolen. and the funerary sculptures, which exalt the power and virtues of the deceased, such as the tomb of Pope Urban VIII by Bernini. Funerary monuments will be one of the types of sculpture. more developed during the Baroque period, following the Latin themes of vanitas, vanity inherent to the human condition, and the memento mori, reminding you that you are mortal, themes that also they will unfold in the literature of the seventeenth century. As for materials, the sculptors continue using stone, marble, bronze, or wood, often unpainted, although in Spain it will be worked much polychrome wood to give even greater realism to religious images, and moreover using false eyelashes, eyelashes, or to recreate, for example, blood or tears. You have surely seen some Holy Week procession before, well, all those images, The great majority are baroque. In 17th-century Spain, baroque sculpture was divided into two major schools, the Castilian and the Andalusian. The Castilian school, centered in Valladolid, where the wonderful National Museum of Sculpture is located yesterday and today, it is characterized by its dramatic intensity, as seen in El Cristo Yacente or in La Virgen de las Angustias of Gregorio Fernández, or in retables such as the Main Retablo of San Esteban in Salamanca by José de Churriguera and his characteristic Solomon's columns. On the other hand, the Andalusian school bets on a more serene realism, like Pedro de Mena's La Magdalena Penitente, El Jesús The Great Power of Seville by Juan de Mesa, or The Burial of Christ from the Main Altarpiece of the Hospital of Seville, by the master Pedro Roldán. Pedro Roldán is also credited with Image of the Esperanza Macarena of Seville, an image that has been widely discussed in recent months causing a stir over the dubious restoration they did to it. His expression is now different, and moreover, The new restorers have realized that the wood had fungi and it was nearly get lost, but it seems that recovering the original will be possible. In the painting we are going to discover a wide variety of typologies. On one hand, religious painting, such as the impressive trompe-l'œil from the vault of the church of Il Gesù in Rome. And, so you don't get neck strain, they've placed Just below a mirror, and thus you can see it very well. "Trampantojo" literally means to deceive. Eye. It is an artistic technique that creates an optical illusion. When you look at it, you think you see volume or a true depth, when in reality it is merely a painting on a flat surface. If we compare a Renaissance painting, much more classical and balanced, compared to the Baroque style of Caravaggio, for example We will clearly see the difference. Baroque has a brutal movement and drama, with many more games of light and shadow, creating dramatic chiaroscuro, a type of painting that will be unique to you from the Baroque and leading to what is known as tenebrism. Mythological themes and scenes will also be addressed. more commonplace, such as this charlatan Sacamuelas or still lifes, with details like this dog And this cat that's fighting. This painting depicts the moment when Judith decapitates the Assyrian general. Olofernes to save his people. Caravaggio portrays the scene with great realism and drama. and violence, emphasizing Olofernes's expression of terror and Judith's determination. While Judit appears resolute and firm; her maid nervously watches the act she is committing. The composition The diagonal and the use of chiaroscuro create a very great sense of depth and visual tension. helping to convey that symbolism of good triumphing over evil, thus reflecting in this painting the strength moral and religious aspects of the Baroque. In Italy, besides Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentilesi also stood out. through the strength and drama of her paintings of courageous and powerful women, a rare image common in the art of the period. In Flanders, Rubens will emerge with his distinctive paintings of bodies luxurious. In the Netherlands, Vermeer, the painter of Girl with a Pearl Earring, the creator of that gaze that centuries later, it continues to captivate us. And Rembrandt, with those distinctive touches of diffused light in his painting. In France, Georges de Latour, who would receive significant influence from Caravaggio, method of painting lights and shadows. In fact, his works are best appreciated with very little illumination, similar to the light of the 17th century. In Spain, Velázquez and José de Rivera stood out, Zurbarán and Murillo, each with their own style, yet all reflecting realism and drama characteristic of 17th-century society. Valdés Leal will also stand out, who will develop this theme from vanitas and memento mori in his paintings, a trope, as we have seen, very characteristic from the Baroque. Las Meninas is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque. It portrays the family of Philip IV and a complex, symbol-laden portrait. It makes masterful use of light and chiaroscuro. and the spatial depth, as well as the psychology of the characters. The scene shows The Infanta Margarita, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting, dwarfs, and Velázquez himself painting, while the kings are reflected in a mirror at the back. Their composition makes the viewer part from the work, exploring the relationship between reality, art, and vision. I'm leaving my video dedicated to this here exclusively to Baroque painting, in case you want to know more deeply and in greater detail its characteristics and key works. With this, we conclude today's video. I hope you enjoyed it and that I've learned something new. If so, remember to like and subscribe to the channel to support it. And see more content on History and Art. Did you know you can follow me daily on Instagram? Thank you so much for being here one more day, and see you in the next video. Bye!