Comparing Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini's use of light and shadow in their architecture - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... In their architectural works, Borromini symbolized the imaginative and idiosyncratic sector of the baroque while Bernini represented the purposes and ideas of ancient Rome (Zelanski & Fisher 172). During their architectural works, both architectures used light as a building material so that they can cause visual and ornamental effect to describe the planned space. Therefore, both the architecture perceived light and shadow in their buildings for identity. Comparing Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini’s use of light and shadow in their architecture Both Bernini and Francesco used light and shadow in different sectors of their architectural works for varying functions. First, they considered the rays of light very important in their work since they used windows to act as lighting holes. They used windows to attract sunrays as seen on the church of the monastery. These architectures also used window lights in their works to show the cyclic values of time on varying seasons. They ensured that they built their windows in a systematic manner to have an opening, which allows rays to penetrate into specific areas within a house. Second, both Bernini and Francesco included light walls in their architectural works (White 27). ...
An example is the church at Walsenburg Abbey. They enabled uniform lighting in their works by including several windows. Both architectures blended light and shadow in their work to make them appear livelier. This is because; both architectures believed that good lighting improves the surfacing texture, depth and the form of the work. They used different types of lighting and shadow in different areas; for example, they used homely lighting during the interior designs for domestic homes. Bernini and Francesco used light and shadow in their art works in order to bring about decorative effect (White 28). This is because light effects on any artwork clearly show the design of that work hence helping many people in defining such work. Both architectures considered light and shadow to rhyme; therefore, they used glass and other translucent materials in order to avoid brightness hence creating shadows in their artistic works. During their time, both architectures used light mainly in interior designs. They integrated fenestration together with artificial light hence creating illumination, which gave their works a sense of movement and emotion. They applied interior lighting to lessen focal prominence hence increasing a sense of openness as well as height of the objects. Both architectures used natural light to draw attention to specific parts of a given space and this was commonly applicable in churches and uniform tall windows. They also used light and fire to make their surfaces more reflective and the candle encouraged spectacular illumination (Ficher-Rathus 400). ContrastingGian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini’s use of light and shadow in their architecture Bernini and ...Download file to see next pagesRead More