Originating in Rome, it was an influential artistic movement throughout Europe, associated mainly with the Catholic Counter-Reformation, trying to proclaim the revitalized spirit of the Church around the year 1600. Learn all about the Baroque Characteristics!
Baroque Characteristics
Although the Baroque was primarily associated with the Catholic Church and its desire to show a renewed and vibrant spirit, it was also used to represent many non-religious subjects, which can be seen in portraits, still lifes, and mythical subjects.
In its heyday in Rome between 1630 and 1680, the Baroque proved to be a bold and dynamic movement, its realism giving viewers the impression that they were witnessing a real event, and its emotional appeal proclaiming the fortified and vital spirit of the Catholic Church, characteristics of the baroque throughout its development.
But what exactly is the baroque period? The Baroque is a period of artistic style that began around 1600 in Rome, Italy, and spread throughout most of Europe. The most important historical aspects during the period were the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, key events that defined the characteristics of the Baroque.
The Reformation was a religious movement started by Martin Luther in the 1648th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church and the Counter Reformation was considered a response to this, it was a stage known as the period of the Catholic revival, beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at end of the Thirty Years' War in XNUMX.
The Council of Trent is one of the most important ecumenical meetings of the Roman Catholic Church, its celebration spanned between 1545 and 1563 in northern Italy, driven mainly by the well-known Reformation that caused the division of the Catholic Church and brought together numerous believers under the term of Protestants who opposed the leadership of the Pope.
The development of the Baroque style was considered to be closely linked with, and certainly its popularity was encouraged by, the Catholic Church, which decided at the Council of Trent that the arts should communicate religious themes and have an emotional involvement in the face of the Protestant Reformation. .
One of the main characteristics of the Baroque is the exaggerated movement and clear details that are used to produce drama, exuberance and grandeur in the different artistic expressions. This chiaroscuro technique refers to the interplay between light and dark, the use of exaggerated light contrasts to create the illusion of volume.
It was often used in baroque paintings, dimly lit scenes to produce a dramatic atmosphere of very high contrast, this being one of the main characteristics of the baroque. The period was divided into three main stages throughout its existence:
- Early or primitive Baroque, between the years 1590 and 1625
- Full Baroque, between 1625 and 1660
- Late Baroque, between 1660 and 1725, was the last stage that gave way to the movement known as Rococo with increasingly more decorative and elaborate works.
The main characteristics of the Baroque, an artistic period that began in Italy and spread throughout most of Europe during the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, include:
1-The most important factors during the Baroque era were the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, considering the development of the Baroque style closely linked to the Catholic Church, which wanted to encourage religious themes in the arts, as a response to the Protestant Reformation. However, the characteristics of the Baroque in Baroque art manifested themselves differently in various European countries, due to their unique political and cultural climates.
2-In the baroque style, the exaggerated movement and clear details that are used to produce multiple feelings, a lot of drama and greatness, a style that was used in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance and music, are decisive. The intention was to appeal above all to the senses and emotions.
3-The use of the chiaroscuro technique is one of the well-known characteristics of the Baroque, where the interaction between light and dark is often used to create dramatic atmospheres of very high contrast. The chiaroscuro technique is most visible in painting, for example, The Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens, as well as works by other important Baroque painters including Caravaggio and Rembrandt.
4-Among the most palpable characteristics of the baroque is that of giving great importance to adornment and the use of many elements to impress.
5-In the Baroque architectural style, bold spaces, domes and large forms were emphasized, as exemplified by the National Palace of Queluz in Portugal.
6-In music, the baroque style constitutes a large part of the classical canon. Important composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Handel and Antonio Vivaldi.
Etymological origin
In informal usage, the word baroque describes something elaborate and highly detailed, it means imperfect pearl and alluded to some luxurious pearl brooches of the time. This style attempted to capture the extreme opulence and drama of this stage in Europe, which is why it is considered one of the most relevant characteristics of the Baroque.
baroque architecture
Baroque architecture began in Italy and evolved in response to a tumultuous period beginning in the XNUMXth century and associated with the Reformation. Generally those in power always wanted to use architecture and art as a way to display strength, wealth and prominence and nowhere is this more true and prominent than in the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation.
During this time, religious leaders were able to influence the culture and art forms that became famous. For the Catholic Church, the most significant way to demonstrate and retain its influence and power was to produce grandiose churches and cathedrals.
The artists and architects commissioned for this mission began to revive Renaissance notions of beauty and realism, only this time in an even more ornate and extravagant way. One of the main characteristics of the baroque was the fact that the artists established several new techniques that were intended to evoke emotions and loyalty.
Thanks to the support of the Pope and other Catholic rulers, various works began to be built, so the style quickly spread throughout Europe and South America, thanks to the presence of European settlers in these lands. This style was not relevant in North America, however, the few samples have a marked European influence, without any characteristic of the original peoples.
Baroque architecture has subtle differences depending on the country. As the Baroque style became popular, venues modified basic Baroque features to suit their schedule and lifestyle. In most cases, the buildings are highly decorated and incorporate elements that appear unusual and even unfinished. Two famous examples of baroque architecture are the church of Santa Susanna and the Palace of Caserta in Italy.
Characteristics of the baroque in architecture
It is often difficult to differentiate between styles of architecture, especially when the builders combined some styles, incorporating forms from one period and another. However, these are some of the characteristics of the baroque in architecture:
-Structures in the Baroque style were generally churches, mansions, and palaces, all intended to display wealth, power, and beauty.
-Construction of large domes, which were generally placed in the center of a building, was another characteristic of Baroque architecture.
-Numerous motifs and decorations, with incredibly intricate details, adding to the whimsy and sacredness of the space.
-Sculptures on the interior and exterior of the structures, statues usually made of plaster or marble that included high contrast colors and textures.
-Forms, designs and functions that attract attention, this can include curved walls, painted and vaulted ceilings, columns, sculptures, arches, niches, fountains, scrolls, broken pediments, etc. Many of these elements give off a sense of movement known as dynamism.
-Frequent use of the gabled mansard roof, a roof element that was a key feature of French Baroque architecture and was incorporated into many palaces or country mansions.
-The baroque aesthetic can be divided into two styles: full baroque and sober baroque. The former is frequently seen in southwestern Europe during the first century of this movement and the latter is seen in northwestern Europe during the period between 1675 and 1725 (late baroque).
-This type of architecture is closely related to the era of colonialism, since the new lands helped finance part of the opulence seen in baroque buildings, especially in Spain and France.
Italian architecture in the baroque period
The highly theatrical Baroque style of architecture dominated Italy in the XNUMXth century, but began in late XNUMXth century Rome. It took the Roman style of Renaissance architecture and used it in an elaborate and dramatic way, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and the absolutist state, it was characterized by new explorations of form, light, shadow and dramatic intensity.
While the Renaissance drew on the wealth and power of the Italian courts, as a mixture of secular and religious forces, the Baroque was at first directly linked to the Counter-Reformation, a movement within the Catholic Church to reform itself in response to the Protestant Reformation.
The Italian baroque architecture and all the ornamentation that it implemented were, if you will, a palpable demonstration of the power and opulence of the Catholic Church. Some of the most relevant characteristics of Italian Baroque architecture are:
1-It is influenced by Renaissance architecture that had its heyday between 1400 and 1600, being the stage that preceded the Baroque. Baroque architects adopted classical forms from both the earlier era and the Romans, a classic example being St. Peter's Basilica, a Baroque church that has Renaissance-inspired features.
2-Baroque artists and architects paid much attention to the use of light, considering themselves the masters of light. For example, the finishes were chosen based on how the light reflected.
Additionally, areas of intense light and dark were incorporated to show contrast and create drama, which can be seen in areas of buildings left intentionally dark, as well as in paintings, an effect known as chiaroscuro.
Architectural achievements and important artists
There are many relevant works and architects that represent the Baroque in Italy, the cradle of this movement. Several ecclesiastical buildings of the Baroque period in Rome had plans that correspond to the basilica with a dome and cross nave, however, the changes in the architecture were immediate, being very different from everything that had been done previously and one of the most relevant baroque features.
One of the first Roman structures to break with earlier conventions of the Mannerist style was the church of Santa Susanna, designed by Carlo Maderno. However, these were followed by many relevant exhibitions of artists who made history in Italy:
- Peter of Cortona
The same concern for plasticity, mass, dramatic effects, and shadow and light are evident in Pietro da Cortona's architectural work, demonstrated in his design for Santi Luca e Martina, begun in 1635 with its façade of baroque church, in Rome.
These concerns are even more apparent in his reworking of Santa Maria della Pace, whose building façade, with its chiaroscuro half-domed portico and concave side wings, closely resembles a theatrical stage, projecting forward in a way that fills substantially the small trapezoidal square.
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Other Roman ensembles from the Baroque and late Baroque period are also full of drama and theatricality and represent a point of attention within the urban landscape where it is located. Probably the best known example is Saint Peter's Square, cataloged as a masterpiece of the Baroque, a space devised by Bernini, it is mainly made up of two colonnades of independent columns centered on an Egyptian obelisk.
Bernini's favorite design was the temple of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, with its particular shape decorated with polychrome marbles and whose dome was richly ornamented in gold. Non-religious architecture included the Palazzo Barberini, based on plans by Maderno, and the Palazzo Chigi-Odescalchi in 1664, both in Rome.
- Francesco Borromini
Considered Bernini's rival, the architect Francesco Borromini produced designs that deviated drastically from the regular compositions of the ancient world and the Renaissance. His construction plans are based on complex geometric figures, his architectural forms were unusual and inventive, he employed the play of multiple layers in his architectural designs.
His distinguished work is the small temple of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, which is distinguished by a complicated layout on the ground plan, which has an oval part and a cross part, which gives it a combination of concave and convex shapes.
- Carlo Fontana
Following Bernini's death in 1680, Carlo Fontana emerged as the most influential architect working in the city of Rome during the Baroque period. His style can be seen in the slightly curved frontispiece of San Marcello al Corso.
From the academic point of view, Fontana lacked the inventiveness of the artists before him who stood out in Rome, however his influence on baroque architecture is undeniable and transcendental, thanks to his writings that were really numerous and abundant, but above all for the formation of a great generation of architects who would spread Baroque idioms throughout Europe in the XNUMXth century.
spanish architecture
A particular strain of Baroque architecture developed in Spain and former colonies at the end of the XNUMXth century, particularly in Spanish America and Belgium, at the end of the XNUMXth century. As the Italian Baroque trend spread through the Pyrenees, it gradually displaced the popularity and influence of the moderate classical style of Juan de Herrera, which had been in vogue since the end of the XNUMXth century.
For example, in 1667, the facades of Alonso Cano's Granada Cathedral and Eufrasio López de Rojas's Jaén Cathedral suggest the fluidity of artists in interpreting the traditional motifs of Spanish cathedral architecture in the Baroque aesthetic.
In Madrid, in the Plaza Mayor and in the Royal Palace of Buen Retiro, a vernacular baroque of Herrerian origin was developed, having as a characteristic of the baroque mainly the traditional brick construction, which was later destroyed during the French invasion by Napoleon's troops. . Its gardens are still El Retiro park, in a sober XNUMXth-century brick baroque that is still well represented in the streets of the capital by palaces and squares.
Unlike the art of northern Europe, the Spanish art of the time influenced and touched the emotions, displacing the intellectual and severe aspect, therefore the artistic samples turned their backs on the moderation and temperance of Herrerian classicism, also promoting a complicated, exuberant, intricate, exaggerated and fickle style of surface ornamentation, which was called Churrigueresque. Some of the most striking creations of the Spanish Baroque are energetic and exotic, for example:
- The facade of the University of Valladolid, by Diego Tomé and Fray Pedro de la Visitación, 1719
- The western façade or Fachada del Obradoiro of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela by Fernando de Casas y Novoa, 1750.
In these representations as in many others, the Churrigueresque design implies a set of elements that defend light, lightness and ornamentation with very little relation to structure and functionality, the center of which is generally a finely sculpted frame but quite intricate, like main entrance.
If one were to remove from the plain walls the intricate labyrinth of broken pediments, undulating cornices, stucco shells, inverted candles, and garlands, the form of the building would not be in the least affected, this elaborate ornamentation being one of the most famous features of the building. baroque.
At the same time, the Churrigueresque baroque exhibited exuberant and impressive compositions, where there is an impeccable relationship between space and light. Buildings such as the Cartuja de Granada by Francisco Hurtado Izquierdo is considered the greatest exponent of Churrigueresque styles applied to interior spaces. On the other hand, the Transparent of the Cathedral of Toledo by Narciso Tomé integrates sculpture and architecture to generate unprecedented effects of light and drama.
We cannot leave aside the Royal Palace of Madrid and the interventions of the Paseo del Prado: Salón del Prado and Puerta de Alcalá, in the same city. These were built in a sober international baroque style, often confused with neoclassical, by Kings Felipe V and Carlos III.
The Royal Palaces of La Granja de San Ildefonso in Segovia and Aranjuez in Madrid are good examples of Baroque integration of architecture and gardening. They have a notable French influence, but they contain aspects and spatial conceptions that in some way show the legacy left by the Arab occupation.
In Flanders, which was the richest imperial province in seventeenth-century Spain, ornate decorative details were more closely attached to the structure, precluding concerns about superfluity.
A remarkable convergence of Spanish, French and Dutch Baroque aesthetics can be seen at Averbode Abbey, built around 1667. Another characteristic example is the Church of St. Michel in Louvain between 1650 and 1670, with a striking and exotic two-story facade, groups of half columns and the intricate addition of French-inspired sculptural details.
english architecture
English architecture during the XNUMXth century is characterized by the use of the Palladian, Jacobean and English Baroque styles. Among the main features of English Baroque is the continued use of classical forms, which eventually gave way to a uniform style, derived mainly from Italy and predominantly exemplified in the work of Inigo Jones.
Jacobean architecture was prominent in the first quarter of the XNUMXth century, and English Baroque architecture, a distinctly English version of the Italian Baroque style, became prevalent during the latter part of the XNUMXth century after the Great Fire of London.
- Palladian architecture
The development of English Baroque is closely linked to Inigo Jones and Palladian architecture. Palladian architecture is highly symmetrical and is based on the principles of the formal classical architecture of the sacred and cultic precincts of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
It was a style seen during the XNUMXth century in England and became truly prominent in the XNUMXth century. Inigo Jones is one of this nation's first major architects, known for introducing the Italian Renaissance style to England.
He is responsible for the Queen's House in Greenwich in 1635 and the Banqueting House in the Palace of Whitehall circa 1622, which he designed based on the work of Palladio, an influential Italian classical-style architect, the ceiling has beautiful pictorial samples of Peter Paul Rubens.
- Jacobean architecture
The second phase of Renaissance architecture in England is called the Jacobean style and was popular during the first quarter of the XNUMXth century, in the reign of King James I. The Jacobean style is characterized by its adoption of decadent and detailed Renaissance motifs such as columns and pilasters. , semicircular arches and flat roofs with openwork parapets.
However, these classical motifs were not strictly applied, but rather used quite freely and synthesized with elements of Elizabethan-style architecture. Architectural examples of the style include John Thorpe's Hatfield House, Knole House and Holland House.
- english baroque
At the end of the XNUMXth century, Baroque architecture gained prominence in a style that is called English Baroque. It was Christopher Wren, one of the most acclaimed English architects in history, who was responsible for the creation of the English Baroque style.
When the Great Fire of London in 1666 forced much of the city to be rebuilt, Wren was hired to replace many of the churches. His most ambitious construction was St. Paul's Cathedral, a grandiose piece of architecture and considered to be the only English cathedral in the classical tradition.
English Baroque architecture was very popular between about 1666 and 1715, being characterized by heavy structures, adorned with very elaborate pieces when compared to the contemporary baroque of the European continent, however, it tends to be relatively simple, with more classical subtleties.
Baroque country houses, such as Chatsworth House by William Talman and Castle Howard by Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor, began to appear in the 1690s. The most important architects after Wren were Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, who built Castle Howard in 1699. and Blenheim Palace in 1705.
french baroque architecture
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most emblematic structures of the French Baroque, it was built during the reign of King Louis XIV and contains 700 rooms, extensive gardens and luxurious decoration. The Palace of Versailles is opulent and elegant, although it was initially a small hunting lodge built by His Majesty's father King Louis XIV, who renovated Versailles with four intense building campaigns during his reign.
The formal aesthetic of the palace was intended to glorify France and showcase the power and grandeur of the self-proclaimed Sun King. The palace's architect was Louis Le Vau, interior decorator Charles Le Brun, and landscape designer André Le Notre.
These three artists had previously worked together on the private chateau Vaux le Vicomte for the king's finance minister before his imprisonment. In 1682, Versailles became the official residence of the king, and such notable elements of the palace as the Hall of Mirrors and the Grand Canal were built.
It was exquisitely executed in the French Baroque style by Louis Le Vau, a French-born classical architect who worked for King Louis XIV. The main characteristics of the French Baroque are its large curved forms, twisted columns, high domes and complicated shapes, compared to the baroque architecture of the rest of Europe, it is thought to be more sober and is characterized by its mixture of luxurious details in symmetrical buildings. and ordered.
Charles Le Brun was the interior decorator of the Palace of Versailles, as well as the first painter to the king, who considered him the greatest painter of all time. He worked on notable areas and aspects of the palace such as the Halls of War and Peace, the Ambassadors' Staircase and the Great Hall of Mirrors.
The interior design of this period is known as the Louis XIV style, originating from Le Brun, and was characterized by richly woven red and gold fabrics or brocades, heavy gilt plaster moldings, large sculpted side panels, and heavy graining.
The Hall of Mirrors is the central gallery of the Palace of Versailles and is one of the most famous rooms in the world. The main feature of this room is a series of 17 mirrored arches that reflect 17 porticoed windows overlooking the gardens. Each arch contains 21 mirrors. The arches are set between marble pilasters on which the bronze symbols of France are embedded.
The landscape design of the Palace of Versailles is one of the most extravagant in history. Managed by André Le Notre, the gardens of Versailles cover nearly 2,000 acres of land and were executed in the style of a French formal garden, or garden a la francaise. This style is characterized by its meticulously manicured lawns, flower beds, numerous fountains, and sculptures.
Sculpture in the baroque period
Baroque sculpture dominated Italy in the XNUMXth century and roundness was the main style of it, just like in the rest of the rest of the baroque cultural movement in XNUMXth century Europe.
In Baroque sculpture, the groups of figures assumed a new importance, in addition to the expression of movement and dynamism that they conveyed. The human figure was depicted in motion, spinning like a whirlpool around the empty center or unfolding into the space around it.
According to the characteristics of the Baroque in sculpture, it is considered in many aspects an extension of the Renaissance, going from relief to the elaborate figure with a large number of curves. In general, and as a specialty of the Baroque movement, they were designed and created to be placed in the middle of a large space, for example, elaborate fountains such as the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini in Rome, around 1651, or those in the Gardens of Versailles. .
One of the most relevant characteristics of the sculptures of this style is the addition of elements that, although they are not part of the sculpture itself, complement it and give it beauty, such is the case of lighting and the fusion of architectural pieces, decorative features such as water fountains and sculptures, thus creating a visual and refreshing adventure for those who see it.
Many of the artists saw themselves as workers and artists in the classical tradition and admired Hellenistic and later Roman sculpture.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was the dominant figure of the time, his sculpture production was immense and varied. Among the most famous works of his we find: the ecstasy of Santa Teresa in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria and the Constantine at the base of the Scala Regia. The artist was also commissioned for the Tomb of Pope Urban VIII in St. Peter's.
In 1665, at the height of his fame, Bernini traveled to Paris for several months in response to repeated requests for his works by King Louis XIV. His international popularity was such that the streets were filled with admiring crowds during his walks through the city.
At this time Bernini presented some designs for the east front of the Louvre, which were finally rejected, he soon fell out of favor with the French court by praising the art and architecture of Italy over that of France, after that the only remaining work of his time in Paris is a bust of Louis XIV, which set the standard for royal portraiture for a century.
baroque painting
Baroque painting emerged in the 1623th century and became popular around the 1667th century, the well-known Roman High Baroque developed between 1600 and XNUMX. Baroque painting is associated with the Baroque cultural movement, which began in Italy and encompasses a wide variety of styles. , since all those important paintings during the period beginning around XNUMX and continuing until the beginning of the XNUMXth century are currently identified as Baroque painting.
In its most typical manifestations, the baroque style usually flaunts great drama, very rich and deep color tones, deep shadows where a great play of light and shadow is essential.
italian baroque painting
One of the relevant Italian painters of the time was Caravaggio. Born and educated in Milan, he stands as one of the most original and influential contributors to European painting of the late XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries, known primarily for painting figures, of classical or religious subjects, in contemporary clothing or as men and women. ordinary women.
His inclusion of the seedier side of life contrasts sharply with the trends of the time. He used gloominess and strong contrasts between partially lit figures and dark backgrounds to dramatize the effect. Among his most famous pictorial works we find: The Calling of Saint Matthew, Saint Thomas, The Conversion of Saint Paul, The Burial and The Coronation of Christ.
The use of light and shadow was emulated by the Caravaggisti, as Caravaggio's followers call themselves: Orazio Gentileschi, Artemisia Gentileschi, Mattia Preti, Carlo Saraceni and Bartolomeo Manfredi. Other influential Italian painters during this early period who influenced the development of Baroque painting include Peter Paul Rubens, Giovanni Lanfranco, and Guercino. Artists, such as Guido Reni and Domenico Zampieri, followed a more classical approach.
Baroque painters such as Cortona, Giovan Battista Gaulli, and Ciro Ferri continued to flourish alongside the classical current represented by painters such as Sacchi and Nicholas Poussin. Even a classicist painter like Carlo Maratta, a student of Sacchi, was influenced by the Baroque in his use of color.
Spanish painting
Baroque painting in Spain was influenced by everything that happened in the well-known Spanish Golden Age that began in 1492, with the end of the Reconquest and the voyages by sea of Christopher Columbus to the New World and that is estimated to culminate around 1659, with the Treaty of the Pyrenees ratified between France and Habsburg, Spain.
The Italian possessions and the relations established by the husband of Queen Isabel and later the only monarch of Spain, Ferdinand of Aragon, gave rise to a constant traffic of intellectuals across the Mediterranean between Valencia, Seville and Florence.
Spanish art at that time maintained a marked interest in mysticism and religion, which was encouraged by the Counter-Reformation and the patronage of the kings and the Catholic aristocracy of Spain. The Habsburgs were considered both in Spain and in Austria, great patrons of art in their countries.
Art scholars often regard Diego Velázquez and Francisco de Zurbarán as the influential founders of a uniquely Spanish style of painting during the Baroque era.
French painting in the baroque
Seventeenth-century painting in France was influenced by Italian sensibilities as well as the classical tastes of the powerful monarchy. King Louis XIV founded the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which demonstrated and transmitted a clearly classically influenced style of art. Important painters from France during the XNUMXth century include Simon Vouet, Charles Le Brun, Nicolas Poussin, Claude Lorrain, and Georges de la Tour.
Simon Vouet is known for introducing Baroque style painting in France, Charles Le Brun was a student of Vouet and the most important court painter of King Louis XIV, in charge of the interior decoration of the Palace of Versailles.
Nicolas Poussin is known for his classical-style paintings that favor clarity, logic, order, and clean lines over colour. Claude Lorrain is particularly known for his work on landscape paintings. While Georges de la Tour was a Baroque painter known for painting mainly chiaroscuro religious scenes.
Baroque music
Baroque music is a highly ornate style of music that grew out of the Renaissance, although it is often considered to be part of the classical music era, it is important to note that Baroque predates the classical period. The Baroque period lasted from 1600 to 1750, while the Classical period spanned 1750-1820.
This genus gets its name from the Portuguese word used to mention a broken pearl, which is really an apt way to describe this style of music: very instrumental on the highest and lowest notes. Baroque music regained popularity in the late XNUMXth century and has been played ever since. With the great innovations of the Renaissance also came new instruments and new ways of building those instruments.
Most notable were the pianoforte, considered a forerunner of the modern piano, as well as the truly superior violins built by the Stradivari family. Regardless of the instrument, a greater variety of music was now available and composers were eager to take advantage of it.
Furthermore, the year 1600 marked a period of social upheaval in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church, once unified in much of Europe, was divided by the Protestant Reformation, which created several Protestant denominations throughout the north of this continent. The Catholic Church, seeking to regain its former power and reach, soon encouraged musicians and composers to write works that could appeal to the masses.
However, the characteristics of the baroque are not only associated with religion, since it was a period of musical history that saw the birth of one of the most important genres in the Western canon, opera. This piece combined music with drama, captivating European audiences.
During this period other types of composition were also created, such as the concerto, the sonata and the cantata. It was a time of productions truly unlike anything the world had ever seen. Baroque music has many characteristics that help to mark a piece as belonging to this stage, but three in particular can be highlighted:
- The focus on the upper and lower tones.
- The focus on layered melodies
- The increase in the size of the orchestra.
Baroque composers concentrated heavily on the upper and lower pitches or parts to be played by the bass and soprano. This often left musicians playing between those ranges to improvise their own work.
Baroque compositions are largely characterized by layered melodies, meaning that the same notes were often repeated throughout a composition, albeit played by different musicians. As a result, music that was originally written to teach playing an instrument was as popular as concert pieces.
The various parts of a given piece of music required an increase in the number of musicians, meaning that the size of orchestras grew substantially during this period. Composers needed several violins in many pieces, for example.
Furthermore, the types of instruments available also made this growth in the size of the orchestra inevitable. Some of the most famous composers in history emerged during the Baroque period, characters that are worth mentioning, for example: Bach, Handel and Monteverdi.
There are some very famous and significant pieces of baroque music that have transcended time and remain in the taste of many people, who are not exactly regulars at concert halls. Among them we find:
- Johann Pachelbel. Canon and giga in D major (1680)
- Johann Sebastian Bach. Toccata and fugue in D minor (1704)
- Anton Vivaldi. Gloria (1708)
- Johann Sebastian Bach. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1721)
- Anton Vivaldi. Spring (1721)
- Jean Philippe Rameau. Tambourine (1724)
- Johann Sebastian Bach. Aria for G string (1730)
- George Frederick Handel. Hallelujah (1741)
baroque literature
Baroque literature is a XNUMXth-century prose genre that has several distinctive and highly accentuated features compared to the literary styles of earlier centuries. The Baroque era is known for the use of resources that gave greater drama and emotion to all forms of art, and literature was no exception. Writers of this period were careful to use allegories with multiple meanings.
Smaller-scale metaphors are also a frequent feature of the baroque genre and many works of literature from this period revolve around man's constant search for the meaning of existence. Many stories that have been designated as baroque literature are known for texts where characters and setting are thoroughly described and reflect realistic life rather than fantasy worlds. The novels and short stories of the Baroque period therefore fall into the category of realism.
Metaphors became more prominent and repetitive in the writing of the Baroque era to inspire imaginative and speculative thoughts in the minds of those who read them. This being one of the characteristics of the baroque in the literary aspect.
Several well-known literary works of this stage also addressed various religious ideas, because some baroque writers worked under the patronage of the church as did other types of artists, such as painters, musicians, sculptors, etc. Some of the most outstanding authors of literature with the clear characteristics of the baroque include:
- Luis de Góngora y Argote: writer of Angelica and Medoro, Fable of Pyramus and Thisbe, Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea and the other Solitudes, Las Firmezas de Isabela, La Comedia Venatoria and El doctor Carlino.
- Lope de Vega: wrote Lto Arcadia, The Pilgrim in his Homeland, The Romances, The plain of Parnassus, among others.
- Baltasar Gracián: with works like The Hero, The Politician, The Discreet, The Communion and The Criticón.
- Pedro Calderon de la Barca: highlighting with texts like Life is a dream, The magical prodigious, The great theater of the World y Copacabana dawn.
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