6 Reformation and Counter Reformation Art Flashcards
The Creation (Genesis) from Luther’s Bible,
c.1530
Luther uses images as a tool for remembrance
and understanding instead of as idols. Against
idolatry and fetishisation.
Unknown artist, King Edward VI and the
Pope, oil on panel, c.1575, 62.2 x 90.8 cm,
National Portrait Gallery, London
The economy the pope created related to faith
is ridiculous. According tı him, being a good
Christian is about “doing”, not faith. You can
pay your way into heaven. However Luther
says that Jesus has already been crucified as a
sacrifice.
Lucas CRANACH the Elder, Contrasting
Protestant and Catholic Christianity c. 1545
Coloured woodcut Staatliche Museen, Berlin
Lucas CRANACH the Elder, Wittenberg Altarpiece,
installed 1547, St Marien Kirche, Wittenberg
Altarpiece in Luther’s church. Installed after his death.
Last Supper around round table.
Baptism (left) : God makes decisions for you from birth
Confession (right) : key given from ordinary councillor to
confessor. No hierarchy.
Only 3 sacraments. Same as the Bible
Contemporary attire
Judas being given bread
Communion service not as an elitist act. No hierarchy
Luther preaching. Crucifixion in centre
Protestant art is not ambiguous. Very clear.
Albrecht DÜRER, The Large Passion: 9. Last
Supper 1510 Woodcut, 39 x 28 cm Graphische
Sammlung Albertina, Vienna
Sacrificed lamb on plate.
Trying to do sacrifice as a rebundant act.
Dürer sympathises with Luther.
Left: Old Testament (doing gets you nowhere)
Right: New Testament (being, by faith)
Lucas CRANACH the Elder (finished by the
Younger?), Weimar Altarpiece, 1555, wood,
Stadtkirche Sankt Peter und Paul, Weimar
About conformity
Cranach knows that painting won’t grant him a
place in heaven
Christ’s blood being spilt on Cranach
Michelangelo, Last Judgment, 1537-41 Fresco, 1370 x
1220 cm
First named as Resurrection
Patrons: Popes Clement VIII and Paul III
On altar wall
Bible as reference only
No sense of space and depth. Figure studies. Mannerism
Christ has no beard. Similar to Apollo
Depiction of 7 deadly sins
Ambiguity
Council of Trent decides that it has to be censored for it’s
nudity. Friend of Michalengelo does it.
Anon, Pope Paul III approving the Society of
Jesus in 1540, with Cardinal Alessandro
Farnese and Ignatius Loyola, oil on panel,
Sacristy, Gesù, Rome
Pope looks after Jesuits but this also grants him
control over them through his acknowledgement
Guido RENI, St Filippo Neri in Ecstasy, 1614
Oil on canvas 180 x 110 cm, Santa Maria in
Vallicella/Chiesa Nuova, Rome
Filippo Neri’s approach is not like Jesuits. He is
an Oratorian. Simple priests who live together
with no vows. Catholic. Bond of charity.
Oratorians don’t have a single patron. Takes
them longer to get artworks for their sacred
places.
Chiesa Nuova, Rome,
1561
Founded by Filippo Neri
Highlight of
Caravaggio’s career.
Has works by Barocci as
well.
Dedicated to Mary
Shows fulfilment of
prophecy through a
chronological story.
Each side chapel is like a
little church.
Federico BAROCCI, Visitation, 1584- 86 280 x 180 cm, oil on
canvas, Chiesa Nuova, Rome
AND
Federico BAROCCI, Presentation of the Virgin, 1593-4, 383 x
247 cm, oil on canvas, Chiesa Nuova, Rome
Barocci is a superstar artist. Poisoned by Roman artist out of
jealousy
Works from model with detailed studies. Mannerism
Invented technique of drawing with pastels and sketching with
colours. Innovative.
Has multiple compositional sketches according to patron’s
response.
Compositionally corresponding paintings. Staircase
Peter Paul RUBENS, The Entombment,
1611-12, Oil on wood, 88 x 66 cm, Ottawa
Rubens lives near Nuova and associated with the
Oratorians.
Recreating and improving artworks including
Caravaggio’s Entombment. Takes contemporary
criticism into consideration.
CARAVAGGIO, The Entombment 1602-03 Oil on canvas, Pinacoteca, Vatican
Chiesa Nuova is the height of his career. Is Christ being put down or brought up (as the moment of substantiation)? Uncertainty. A version of Pieta. Marble stone: A relic.
