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Explore the essence of Baroque architecture - its deliberate complexity, theatricality, and dramatic forms that challenged Renaissance norms and sought emotional impact. Dive into the evolution, influences, and unique characteristics. Uncover how the shift towards visual complexity reflected societal and religious dynamics, leading to unparalleled creativity and expression in architectural design.
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Understanding Architecture Chapter 15 Baroque and Rococo Architecture “The Baroque building can only be grasped through one’s experiencing it in its variety of effects….”
Baroque Architecture • Whereas Renaissance architecture gave the visual impression of being simple, Baroque architecture was deliberately complex • Instead of clarity there was conflict • Instead of uniformity of the elements and overall effect, there was studied variety • Instead of regularity, there was contrast
Baroque Architecture • During the Renaissance there had been planar forms with an emphasis on the surface, the Baroque emphasis was on plasticity and spatial depth • Renaissance was human in scale; Baroque became superhuman in scale • Renaissance stressed easily perceived forms; Baroque projected a sense of mystery
Baroque Architecture • Renaissance, the interest was in intellectural comprehension and cerebral satisfaction; in Baroque, it shifted to creating an emotional impact • The term “baroque” was used to denigrate the architecture of 17th and 18th century architecture and was derived from the Portugese term for misshapen pearl barocco
Baroque Architecture • The reasons for the shift toward visual complexity are several: • During any period of artistic creativity, where the goal is to reach absolute balance, once the goal is reached, a reaction sets in • The Counter Reformation of the Catholic Church reacted to the tenets of the Protestant Reformation, eg. the Church insisted that music, painting, sculpture and architecture, when properly handled, were among the most powerful instruments enhancing religious devotion
Jesuit’s Counter-reformation • The original countries that initiated the Baroque style remained faithful to the Catholic church after the reformation • The Jesuits enlisted the leading figure of the Baroque movement for their projects • The exciting forms in the Baroque style was used for the purpose of religion
1st breakaway point from the Renaissance • Unquestionably dramatic • Asymmetrical • Experimentation with new and dynamic massing
2nd breakaway point from the Renaissance • Employed swirling S-curves and shapes that represents movement • Deserted the static form of the square and circle • Undulating facades and plans based on the oval shape • The Council of Trent decalred the square and circle as too pagan for Christian Churches (1545)
3rd breakaway point from the Renaissance • Baroque had an extreme form of theatricality which involved the creation of illusion • Trompe-l’oeil • Music Room, Chatsworth Derbyshire • Harewood House
Baroque’s Intention • Brunelleschi and Bramante’s concern in adhering to the standards set in the renaissance is of no concern for Bernini and Borromini’s baroque • It seeks to carry the audience away with emotion • No pedantic desire to teach • No moralistic desire to judge against standards
Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Theresa 1646 • Staged a little play with his sculpture • Members of the Cornaro family watching the scene
omp St John Nepomuk, Munich, 1733-46 EgidQuirinAsam Thirty feet wide With swirling balconies, twisted pillars Throbbing in gold, dark browns and red
St John Nepomuk, Munich, 1733-46 Exterior
Guarini, Santa Maria della Divina Providenza, Lisbon, Portugal, 1652-63 (destroyed 1755)
Vierzehnheiligen, Plan http://www.vierzehnheiligen.de/fr_rundum.htm
Baroque Architecture: Conclusion • In their striving for the fullest possible effects of molded space, manipulated light, brilliant colour, and sensuous detail, Baroque and later Rococo, was concerned predominantly with the shaping of space and not with the fundamental structure of architecture