Blog 2

 What caused the shift from Renaissance to Baroque?

In the book the author states two theories or ideas behind this question which are basically that the renaissance period had reached the climax of it's popularity and that Boaroque was the new substitute  that fulfilled the desire for something new. the other theory suggests that as society changes the taste and preferences of that society also evolved.

"One possible answer is the theory of blunted sensibility , commonly offered in the past. It suggests that the forms of the renaissance had ceased to exert their charm, so that the too-often-seen was no longer effective and that jaded sensibilities demanded a more powerful impact. Architecture  changed in order to supply this demand and thus became Baroque.

This theory is opposed by another, which sees the history of style as a reflection of changes in the pattern of the human life. According to this hypothesis, style is an expression of it's age, and changes with the changes in human sensibility. The renaissance had to die because it no longer expressed the idea that governed the age or appeared most vital to it."

Wolfflin, H. (1961). Renaissance and baroque. London, England: Cox & Wyman Ltd

pages 73-74

Who was Gian Lorenzo Bernini?

Gian Lorenzo was a sculptor and artist, who was very comparable to Michaelangelo, around the 17th Century. In this article, the author claims that Bernini shaped the city of Rome at this time, as his arts and sculptures where established and displayed in many places in Rome including Basilica's such as St Peters in the Vatican city. 

"How can any museum do justice to the artistic achievements of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who transformed the city of Rome into a permanent exhibition of his multifarious gifts as sculptor, architect, designer, administrator and politician? Organically integrated into chapels, tombs, fountains, staircases, memorials and, above all, into the new St Peters, Bernini's art can only be appreciated and understood by those able to study it in situ. The few portrait busts, rare paintings, clay bozzetti and drawings that have found their way out of Rome to museums and private collections in Great Britain, the resources drawn on for the exhibition at the National gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh all help to round out our understanding of his genius"

Harris, A.S. (1998). Effigies and ecstasies, Roman Baroque sculpture and design in the age of Bernini. Burlington Magazine, volume 140, page 638. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.helicon.vuw.ac.nz/openurl?issn=0007-6287&title=&volume=140&date=1998&issue=1146&spage=638

what are the conventions/features of the Baroque style?

The main idea of Baroque is that the details are intricate and the the renaissance style is brought to more extreme levels. Examples of this are curvy lines, domes, more patterns and an abundance of sculptures e.g. Fontana Di Trevi, Piazza Novona , St Peter's Basiclica.

"Baroque architecture was designed to create spectacle and illusion. Thus the straight lines of the Renaissance were replaced with flowing curves, while domes/roofs were enlarged, and interiors carefully constructed to produce spectacular effects of light and shade. It was an emotional style, which, wherever possible, exploited the theatrical potential of the urban landscape - as illustrated by St Peter's Square (1656-67) in Rome, leading up to St Peter's Basilica. Its architect, Bernini, ringed the square with colonnades, to convey the impression to visitors that they are being embraced by the arms of the Catholic Church."

Collins, N. (n.d). Baroque art:Definition, History: Architecture, sculpture, Painting. Retrieved from http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/baroque.htm

what were the intentions of Baroque?

"the aim was to create an environment having a stronger emotional and persuasive impact, and to make every single building appear as an expression of a universal system of values. We have seen, thus, how churches and palaces started to interact with their urban environment, mainly because of the introduction of a longitudinal axis  that 'opened' the traditional self sufficient architectural form."

Pirovano, C. (Ed.).(1971). Baroque Architecture. New York, USA:Harry N Abrahams, Incorporated.

page 305

Image of typical Italian Baroque Buildings

Rome the capital of Baroque. (2009). Retrieved from http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/1de6b0/