European Art and Architecture of the 17th Century PDF

## L'Europa nel Seicento - Many aspects of the 17th century are characterized by contradiction and criticism. - In Northern Europe, the rise of the bourgeoisie and the expansion of absolute monarchy took place. - However, the period was also characterized by famine, pestilence, economic stagnation,...

## L'Europa nel Seicento - Many aspects of the 17th century are characterized by contradiction and criticism. - In Northern Europe, the rise of the bourgeoisie and the expansion of absolute monarchy took place. - However, the period was also characterized by famine, pestilence, economic stagnation, and social inequality. - Europe saw a reshuffling of political power as new nation-states emerged. - **Spain**, once a powerful European empire, declined due to the Peace of the Pyrenees with France. - **France**, under Louis XIV, emerged as a leading power and strengthened absolutism. - **England** transitioned from a feudal system to a capitalist one thanks to the emerging gentry and yeoman classes. - **The Netherlands** declared independence from Spain, forming the Republic of the Seven United Provinces. - **Holland** became a prominent economic power, replacing Venice in trade routes to the East. - The Catholic areas of the Netherlands remained divided, leading to the development of a new artistic style. - **Painting** focused on finding ideal beauty and realistic representations of nature. ## Rembrandt (1606-1669) - Rembrandt was a major painter of the 17th century. - At first, he followed the Dutch tradition of naturalism. - However, he later turned to a form of Baroque painting that emphasized inner vision. - He was influenced by Rubens but later developed his own style: calm, intimate, with dark, warm, and monochrome colors. - Rembrandt was both a history painter and a portrait artist. - He pioneered the "group portrait." - These paintings were commissioned by guilds and institutions to celebrate their status and role in society. ## **The Night Watch** (1642, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum, oil on canvas, 363x437cm) - Commissioned by a civic militia in Amsterdam. - depicts the militiamen being led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and his Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch. - The composition is dynamic, leading the eye to the center where the figures are moving toward the viewer. - The composition is interrupted by parallel and curved lines, creating a transition from chaos to order. - The use of contrasting colors and brushstrokes amplifies the sense of movement. - The light source highlights the figures and creates striking shadows. - The overall effect is one of dynamism and immediacy. ## Jan Vermeer (1632-1675) - Vermeer depicted the lives of the Dutch bourgeois, focusing on domestic scenes like conversations, reading, and letter writing. - His work is characterized by realism and a focus on female figures. - He created a sense of depth through the use of geometric precision, perspective, and naturalistic color. - He captured the quality of light and shadow through velatura, a technique that layers glazes of paint to achieve a subtle and luminous effect. - His paintings are not purely realistic but are imbued with a sense of detail and restraint. ## **The Girl with a Pearl Earring** (1665-1666, oil on canvas, 44.5 x 39 cm, Mauritshuis, The Hague) - Depicts a young woman with a pearl earring and a turban. - The girl is not simply looking at the viewer but seems to be thinking about something else — perhaps a memory or a dream. - The light source is subtle, creating subtle shadows around the figure. - The overall effect is one of mystery and intimacy. ## The Art of Painting (Las Meninas) (1656, Museo del Prado, Madrid, oil on canvas, 318 x 276 cm) - Depicts the artist's studio scene, featuring King Philip IV and his wife, Mariana of Austria. - The royal couple is reflected in a mirror in the background. - The "meninas" (lady-in-waiting) are arranged around the main figures. - The viewer is placed in the position of the king and queen, looking at the scene from their perspective. - Velazquez painted himself in the process of painting, further blurring the line between art and reality. - The composition is complex and layered, with elements of symmetry and asymmetry. - The painting's themes include the role of the artist and the concept of illusion. ## **The Officer and the Laughing Girl** (circa 1657, The Frick Collection, New York, oil on canvas, 50.5 x 46 cm) - Depicts a scene of courtship set in a domestic interior. - The officer, dressed in scarlet, interacts with a young woman who wears a headdress. - The painting captures the subtle interplay of light and shadow. - The use of perspective and composition emphasizes the figures and their interactions. - The scene is intimate yet suggests a broader social context. ## **The Architecture of the 17th Century** - The 17th century saw a rise in the influence of Baroque architecture across Europe. - The new styles reflected the growing power of national monarchs and the desire for grand, expressive spaces. - Italian Baroque architecture is characterized by its expressive and dynamic qualities, often incorporating elaborate facades and curving forms. - This style was adopted by rulers across Europe, influencing the design of palaces, churches, and urban spaces. ## **Francesco Borromini (1599-1667)** - Borromini was a leading Baroque architect. - He was known for his innovative and highly personal style, which challenged the traditional architectural norms of his time. - Borromini's work was influenced by his background as a sculptor and a stonemason, which gave him a deep understanding of materials and form. - He was also an expert in the application of light and shadow, which he used to create dramatic effects in his buildings. ## **Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza** (1642-1660, Rome) - Sant'Ivo is a perfect example of Borromini's unique architectural vision. - The church's plan is based on a regular geometric form — a six-pointed star — created by the intersection of two equilateral triangles. - The plan is both symmetrical and dynamic, incorporating a sense of movement and energy. - The use of light and shadow further emphasizes the sculptural qualities of the building. - The building's plan is based on the number three, which is significant to the Christian faith. ## **The Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane** (1635-1641 and 1665-1667, Rome) - The church's plan is formed by the fusion of an ellipse and a Greek cross, and is richly embellished with sculptural and decorative elements. - The building is characterized by its dynamic form and movement, suggesting a sense of energy and vitality. - The play of light and shadow gives the interior a sense of drama and grandeur. - The use of the number three is also a hallmark of the design, reflecting the principles of Christianity. ## The Difference Between Borromini and Bernini - Borromini and Bernini were both leading Baroque architects, but their styles were distinct. - **Bernini** was known for his monumental and classical approach, showcasing a command of scale and grandeur. - **Borromini**, in contrast, embraced complexity and dynamism, creating a sense of movement and energy in his architectural designs. - Borromini's work was often characterized by its intricate details, unusual forms, and use of light and shadow. ## The "Grand Manner" of the 17th Century - The Grand Manner is a term used to describe a style of portraiture and history painting that emerged in the 17th century, primarily in England. - This style was characterized by its formality, grandeur, and focus on classical themes. - It was a way to portray history and heroic figures in a dignified and idealized fashion. - The Grand Manner reached its peak in the works of Anthony van Dyck and Sir Peter Lely. - This style emphasized elegance, sophistication, and the portrayal of individuals in their ideal form. - The 17th century was a period of profound change and upheaval in Europe. - The shift toward absolute monarchy, the emergence of new nation-states, and the development of new artistic and philosophical ideas shaped the course of Western culture for centuries to come.