Art and the Catholic Reformation

Elements of the Baroque Movement

Baroque Style Exaggerated motion Clear, easily interpreted details Aimed at the senses and emotions Used dramatic scenes to emphasize religious events Attempted to overwhelm the viewer

Reformation and the Catholic Reformation Baroque Art Age of Absolutism

Council of Trent & Art Teach the faithful Theology of the Holy Fathers Mysteries of Redemption Articles of Faith Be moved by the Saints Model their lives after the Saints

Other Objectives Promote thanksgiving Remind the worshipper of God’s gifts Give instruction to the illiterate Instructions to the Church leadership Keep the focus on traditional images Recover souls lost to the Protestant Reformation

Warnings in Trent Do not suggest that the images contain divinity Remove any images that promote false teaching Do not pursue “filthy quest for gain” or promote superstition Do not create art with “seductive charm”

Do not make the work of the saints look like “boisterous festivities” Nothing should appear disorderly of arranged in a confusing matter Nothing profane No unusual images

Aims (Trent and Beyond) Combat Reformation and the Scientific Revolution Reach a large audience Embody religions experience Images could have an efficacious impact in devotion Impress the faithful of the reality of the spiritual experience of the Church Propaganda

Other Guidelines For Church Art Be clear, simple and intelligible Contain a realistic interpretation Be an emotional stimulant to the faithful masses Support of transcend the spoken word Emphasis on the mystical A tool for instructing the illiterate

Important Themes Depiction of correct doctrine Magnificence of Church Emphasis on passion and devotion The reality of the spiritual experience Visions and mystical experiences Conversion Martyrdom and Death

Reach A Large Audience San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane - Borromini Worship of the Holy Name of Jesus - Pozzo Baldachin over the High Altar of St. Peter's - Bernini

Be Moved By the Lives of the Saints St. Jerome - Caravaggio St. George and the Dragon - Tintoretto Judith Slaying Holofernes - Gentileschi

Saints - Martyrdom Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew - Ribera Crucifixion of St. Peter -Caravaggio Martyrdom of St. Matthew - Caravaggio

Teach The Faith Calling of St. Matthew - Caravaggio Supper at Emmaus - Caravaggio Doubting Thomas - Caravaggio The Entombment - Caravaggio

Teach the Faith The Nativity - Barocci Assumption of the Virgin - Carracci Dead Christ Mourned- Carracci

Teach the Faith St. Luke Displaying A Painting of the Virgin - Barbieri Triumph of the Barberini - Cortona

Emotional and Religious Experiences The Conversion of St. Paul - Caravaggio Ecstasy of St. Teresa - Bernini Last Supper - Tintoretto

Emotional and Religions Experiences St. Francis in Ecstasy - Caravaggio Finding of St. Mark’s Remains -Tintoretto Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine - Carracci

Evolution of the Movement Spreads across Europe – even to Protestant countries Spread (via the Jesuits) around the globe Secular subjects Became a political propaganda tool

To what extent did Baroque Art achieve its purposes?