Baroque Architecture: Comparison of Italian, French and Spanish Baroque - Term Paper Example

? Baroque Architecture: Comparison of Italian, French and Spanish Baroque Introduction Baroque is described as the European architecture of the 17th century as Baroque art and architecture dominated the architecture of Europe between 1600 and 1750 (Sullivan n.d.). During this period architecture, painting and sculpture were all integrated into decorative arrangements. Baroque architecture is characterized by ‘concerns for light, and shade, sculptural values and intensity’ (New World Encyclopedia 2008). According to Learn Columbia (n.d.) Baroque is characterized by magnificence, grandeur and richness in invention, design and scale. Baroque architecture was seen as a means of propagating faith in the Roman Catholic church and the state as it employed ‘emotional, realistic and dramatic art’ (E. Sullivan n.d.). The Roman Papacy was a principal motivating factor as commanding Popes continued the trend of supporting important architectural commissions (Learn Columbia n.d.). Architecture during this period embraced painting and sculpture as integral components of the total design and therefore reflected the cohesion which was absent in earlier forms of architecture (Learn Columbia n.d). Light and color was used to enhance architectural space which was unified with magnificent decorations which included frescoes cycles and altarpieces (Learn Columbia n.d). Development of the Baroque The Baroque developed into two separate forms – one that was strongly Roman Catholic and one that was Protestant. The Roman Catholic form was counter reformist and was aimed at combating the spread of Protestantism. This form was practiced in Italy and Spain. The Protestant form was practiced in France and other protestant countries. According to Sullivan (n.d.) the simplicity sought by Protestantism explains the architectural styles in those areas. Leading architects in Italy included Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, Pietro da Cortona, and Guarino Guarini. Architects in Spain that have been recognized include Alonso Cano, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacques Francart and Pieter Huyssens. Those recognized in France include Salomon de Brosse, Francois Mansart, Andre Le Notre, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurele Meissonier. Comparison of Italian, French and Spanish Baroque Italian Baroque Baroque architecture emerged in Italy and Rome became its ideal city where it was strongly encouraged by the ‘convergence of ambitious Popes and artists who had gained a good reputation internationally (Learn Columbia n.d.). The three major architects of the era were Maderno, Bernini and Borromini. Carlo Maderno was the first major architect and is known for his work on Saint Peter’s between the period 1606 and 1612 (E. Sullivan n.d.). Gian Lorenzo Bernini was a very important and influential architect. He designed the colonnade which embraced Saint Peter’s Square and churches such as San Andrea al Quirinale in Rome. Francesco Borromini designed the church - San Carlo all Quattro Fontane which could be described as the quintessence of Italian baroque architecture (E. Sullivan n.d.). Both Bernini and Borromini have been commended for the way they developed the simple geometrical shape with ‘creativity, complexity and effect’ at San Andrea al Quirinale and San Carlo alle Quattro respectively (Learn Columbia n.d.). Pictures of San Carlo alle Fontane provided by M. Sullivan (n.d.) indicates that it has a main facade, three bays facing the street, a second facade and a narrow bay at the corner with its own tower. Sullivan also pointed out that there was a gigantic order which enclosed a small order; however the gigantic order does not serve the purpose of unifying the two stories. Instead, M. Sullivan (n.d.) points out each story have contrasting elements and are equally important. The lower story of the building has three bays two of which are concave and one convex while the upper story has only concave bays. Sullivan also points out that the lower bays are united by continuous entablature while in the upper bays the entablature is in the sections. The central entablature in the upper bay has the oval medallion swinging forward while angels that are placed asymmetrically hold the medallion which has a crown that is shaped like an onion (Sullivan, M. n.d). Sullivan also points out that convex window enframement in the upper story echoes the door in the convex central bay. A picture of the San Carlo alle Quattro is shown in the Appendix. Spanish Baroque Spanish Baroque was similar to Italian Baroque but there was more emphasis on surface decorations. In these countries (Italy and Spain) the buildings were designed with undulating walls and decorations on their surface. As with Italian Baroque architecture, Spanish Baroque architecture was complex, freer and appealed to the senses and was therefore more artistic than French baroque Architecture. Alonso Cano was one of the leading Spanish baroque architects. According to Sullivan (n.d.) Cano’s facade for Granada Cathedral which was designed in 1667 contains classical elements and its surface decorations paved the way for later art forms such as the rococo style of architecture. Leonardo de Figueroa’s was one of the more popular architects who designed Seville’s Hospital of Los Venerables Sacerdotes between 1687 and 1697 which was very typical during the period. The Churriguera family of architects was also popular as they played a significant role in the design of some richly adorned and very interesting buildings in Barcelona, Madrid, and Salamanca. They helped to develop an individual style of Spanish Baroque which was characterized by a profusion of decoration. Whatever the type of building, it was encrusted by a lot of ornaments. This particular style is known as Churrigueresque from the family name Churriguera which is also described as the dynasty of Spanish architect. See the picture of the diagram of the Churrigueresque design of the West Facade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the Appendix. This architecture was designed by the Churriguera family. French Baroque In France the open three wing layout design of the palace was the established canonical solution characterized French Baroque architecture. However, according to the New World Encyclopedia (2008) Salomon de Brosse’s ‘Palais du Luxembourg’ determined the direction that French Baroque Architecture would take for the rest of the period in which the baroque architecture remained dominant. De Brosse blended traditional French elements such as lofty mansard roofs and complex roof line with ubiquitous rustification derived from Palazzo Pitti in Florence Italy (New World Encyclopedia 2008) . This came to characterize King Louis XIII style. Francois Mansart has been credited with introducing the full Baroque to France. This is shown in his design of Chateau de Maisons (1642). According to New World Encyclopedia (2008) Mansart was successful in reconciling the academic and baroque approach to architecture demonstrated respect for the French tradition of Gothicism which was characterized by pointed arches. The Chateau de Maisons is strictly symmetrical with some level of order applied to each story, most of which is in the form of pilaster. The principal face of the building is crowned with a separate aggrandized roof and is infused with plasticity with the total design resembling a three-dimensional whole New World Encyclopedia (2008). Mansart’s Structures has no overemphasized decorative effects which is typical of contemporary Rome. It is this aspect of French Baroque architecture that differentiates it from that of the Italian. The interior of the Palace of Versailles which was home to Louis XIV demonstrates the influence of Italy. According to the New World Encyclopedia (2008), the rooms were decorated by Charles Lebrun who studied with Pietro da Cortona, the famous Tuscan artist. Cortona’s decorative style of the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy was adapted for use at the Palace of Versailles. However the arrangement used by Lebrun was said to be more complex than that used at the Pitti Palace in Florence. It was not in the design of buildings that French Baroque would find excellence but in the landscaping of the space surrounding the architecture. The park at Versailles became the masterpiece of all gardens. The geometrically shaped gardens were located to one side of the grounds with the palace sitting at the center. French Baroque is mainly emphasized through its Palaces or Chateaus while Italian Baroque Architecture is emphasized in Church buildings. This is also emphasized through King Louis XIV Palace of Versailles which is described as the greatest achievement of French Baroque. The diagram in the appendix shows a picture of the Palace of Versailles. The Gothic roof and three dimensional look is pretty evident as a characteristic of French Baroque. According to Adams (1998) the plan of France’s Louis XIV was to control the way people thought about the state while the baroque architecture in Rome tried to control the way people thought about the church. The absolute monarchies of France and Spain influenced the creation of designs that reflected their size and splendor and the Majesty of King Louis XIV of France and King Philip IV of Spain (E. Sullivan n.d.). Characteristics of Interiors The characteristic of the interior of French design is similar to that of the Italian design. This is emphasized in the decor of the Palace of Versailles in France which was based on the interior decor of Pitti Palace in Florence Italy. The complex staircases and the gallery at the Palace of Versailles dominated the interior design of the period. Conclusion Italian Baroque architecture has been the basis of Baroque architecture in Europe. Italy has been described as the cradle of Baroque and it has produced a number of excellent architects each with their own style. The difference in style is not just seen it Italy but in the adoption of Baroque in the rest of Europe. References Adams, (1998). Baroque Architecture in France. Retrieved from: http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/adams/arch251/winter1998/ha/feb4/feb4.htm New World Encyclopedia (2008). Baroque Architecture. Retrieved from: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Baroque_Architecture Sullivan, E.J. (). Baroque Art and Architecture. Retrieved from: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/c/craftg/HRS134/Baroque%20Art%20and%20Architecture.doc Sullivan, M.A. () San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. Retrieved from: http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/carlo/carlo.html Appendix Italian Baroque Architecture San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane – Designed by Borromini . Spanish Architecture Churrigueresque design West Facade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela French Baroque Architecture Palace de Versailles (the interior court) Bust of Louis XIV in his Royal Apartment Read More