21 Power and Glory I: Italy, later seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

Question 1

Baroque style in Italy progressed by piling up increasingly dazzling new ideas for buildings, and fully developed by when?

Answer 1

Middle of 1600s

Question 2

Identify, date, describe

Answer 2

Church of Sta Agnese, Piazza Navona, Rome, Francesco Borromini & Carlo Rainaldi, 1653. Renaissance forms recombined to create something richer and more lavish. Temple front entrance –standard. First storey of towers is square, second is round. Round windows over doors unheard of in classical architecture.

Question 3

What is a pediment?

Answer 3

Triangular upper part of the front of a classical building, typically surmounting a portico, or door in non-classical building.

Question 4

What is the religious purpose of Baroque architecture?

Answer 4

To create grand showpieces whose pomp and splendour creates a sense of grandeur echoing that of god.

Question 5

Gian Lorenzo Bernini dates?

Answer 5

1598-1680 One year older than Van Dyck and Velasquez, eight years older than Rembrandt

Question 6

Identify, date, describe

Answer 6

Costanza Buonarelli, Bernini, 1635 Captures characteristic expression of sitter. Master portraitist.

Question 7

Identify, date, describe

Answer 7

The ecstasy of St Teresa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1652 Saint Teresa –16th century nun who described mystic visions. Here when angel pierced heart with golden flaming arrow, filling her with pain and bliss. Rays of light create backdrop. Stagey, but all emotion is brought to fever pitch.

Question 8

After the development of the Baroque, painting and sculpture _______ in Italy and Catholic Europe.

Answer 8

After the development of the Baroque, painting and sculpture declined in Italy and Catholic Europe.

Question 9

In 1700s, Italian artists were known mainly as superb internal ________, famous for their skill in ______ work and _______.

Answer 9

In 1700s, Italian artists were known mainly as superb internal decorators, famous for their skill in stucco work and frescoes.

Question 10

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo dates?

Answer 10

1696-1770

Question 11

Identify, date, describe

Answer 11

Banquet of Cleopatra, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1750

Depicts feast that Mark Antony gave in honour of Cleopatra. Queen not impressed by sumptuous dishes, bets can produce dish more costly, takes pearl from earring, dissolves in vinegar and drinks.

Such frescoes are enjoyable, but of less permanent value than more sober creations of earlier periods. Signals end of great age of Italian art.

Question 12

Only in one specialised branch did Italian art create new ideas in 18th century. Which one?

Answer 12

Only in one specialised branch did Italian art create new ideas in 18th century. Which one?

Question 13

Francesco Guardi dates?

Answer 13

1712-1793

Question 14

Identify, date, describe

Answer 14

View of S. Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Francesco Guardi, 1775
Bold display of light and colour typical of Venetian art. Mastered effects of 17th century painters, such as Velasquez –gondoliers are mere patches of paint.

Question 15

Identify, date, describe

Answer 15

Church of Sta Agnese, Piazza Navona, Rome, Francesco Borromini & Carlo Rainaldi, 1653. Interior.

Splendour designed to invoke awe. Church mirrors kingdom of heaven.