Post-Tridentine Church Layout and Art Techniques

Post-Tridentine Church Layout

• Architectural style of churches emerged after the Council of Trent (1545-1563).
• Emphasizes a centralized plan, clear spatial organization, and a focus on the altar.
• Example: St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, redesigned by Maderno and later completed by Bernini.
• Reflects the Catholic Church's response to the Reformation.

Obelisk

• A tall, four-sided monument with a pyramidion on top.
• Often commemorates significant events or individuals.
• Example: The Obelisk of St. Peter's Square, moved to its current location by Maderno as part of the basilica's redesign.

Quadratura

• An illusionistic painting technique.
• Creates the appearance of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.
• Example: The Ceiling of the Gallery in the Palazzo Farnese by Carracci.
• Uses perspective to enhance spatial depth; also Guercino's Aurora Cieling.

Quadro Riportato

• A technique where a framed painting is depicted as if it were hanging in a room.
• Example: Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne in Palazzo Farnese by Carracci.

Oil Sketch

• A quick, informal painting done in oil as a preliminary study for a larger work.
• Example: Peter Paul Rubens

Fresco

• A technique where water-based pigments are applied on wet plaster.
• Example: The Ceiling of the Gallery in the Palazzo Farnese by Carracci.
• Illustrates scenes from mythology and religion; also Guercino's Aurora Cieling.

Alla Prima

• A technique where layers of wet paint are applied directly onto the canvas without underpainting.
• Example: Caravaggio was known to work with this technique.

Ultima Mano

• Final touches added to a painting.

Allegory

• An artistic representation conveying abstract ideas through symbolic figures or imagery.
• Example: The Allegory of Divine Providence by Pietro da Cortona in Palazzo Barberini.
• Expresses faith, hope, charity, divine providence, and immortality.

Genre Painting

• A style depicting scenes of everyday life.
• Example: The Cardsharps by Carracci, capturing a game of cards.

Still-Life

• A genre that depicts inanimate objects.
• Example: Still Life with Flowers by Domenichino.
• Emphasizes beauty in the arrangement of natural elements.

Landscape

• A depiction of natural scenery.
• Example: Ruben's landscape

Arrested Movement

• Capturing a moment of action in a static form.
• Example: Taking of Christ by Caravaggio.

Diagonal Composition

• Elements arranged along diagonal lines to create movement.
• Example: The Raising of the Cross by Rubens.
• Dynamic figures and a strong diagonal emphasis.

Graphite Drawing

• A drawing technique using a pencil or graphite stick.
• Example: Studies for the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini.
• Highlights his mastery in planning.

Concetto

• An intellectual or thematic idea behind a work of art.
• Example: The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio.
• The moment of divine calling is thematically rich.

Bozzetto

• A small-scale preliminary model or sketch.
• Example: Bernini often made bozettos, such as that of Time Arrested by Death.

Portrait Bust

• A sculptural representation of a person's head and shoulders.
• Example: Portrait Bust of Pope Urban VIII by Bernini.
• Captures the likeness and personality of the pope.

Double Portrait

• A portrait depicting two subjects.
• Example: The Double Portrait of a Young Couple by Carracci.
• Explores the relationship between the two figures.

Patrons of Artists

• Domenico Fontana: Popes, notably Sixtus V (who commissioned the obelisks).
• Carlo Maderno: Pope Paul V (St. Peter's expansion) and other papal commissions.
• Annibale Carracci: Cardinal Odoardo Farnese (Galleria Farnese) and various church commissions.
• Guido Reni: Cardinal Scipione Borghese and other nobles.
• Guercino: Various noble families and churches in Bologna.
• Domenichino: Cardinal Francesco Barberini and other religious commissions.
• Caravaggio: Cardinals (like Francesco del Monte) and the wealthy bourgeoisie of Rome.
• Peter Paul Rubens: Marie de' Medici (for the cycle of paintings) and various European monarchs.
• Pietro da Cortona: Pope Urban VIII and the Barberini family.
• Francesco Borromini: The Church and various ecclesiastical figures, including Pope Innocent X.
• Gian Lorenzo Bernini: Pope Urban VIII and Pope Alexander VII, among others.
• Alessandro Algardi: Pope Alexander VII and other church figures.
• Francesco Duquesnoy: Commissioned by churches and aristocrats in Rome.

Mnemonic Techniques for Patrons

• Domenico Fontana: Pope Sixtus V → "Sixtus stands tall with obelisks."
• Carlo Maderno: Pope Paul V → "Paul builds the grand St. Peter's."
• Annibale Carracci: Cardinal Farnese → "Farnese brings grandeur to the gallery."
• Guido Reni: Cardinal Borghese → "Borghese loves beauty in Reni's works."
• Caravaggio: Cardinal del Monte → "Del Monte's card games inspire Caravaggio."
• Peter Paul Rubens: Marie de' Medici → "Marie's story unfolds in grand cycles."
• Bernini: Pope Urban VIII → "Urban shapes the Baroque style."