UNIT 12: THE BAROQUE PERIOD

THE 17 TH CENTURY ECONOMIC CRISIS

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY IN HE 17 TH CENTURY

The economy stopped growing. Manufacturing and comercial activities were

the most affected. The crisis was worse in southern Europe. The new centre
of economic power moved its area of influence from the Mediterranean to
the Atlantic.
-

Causes:
The causes for this situation were the Thirty Years War, a food crisis
caused by stagnant agricultura, and the spread of the Black Plague
epidemic during the mid-century.
o Agriculture. Constant wars caused a shortage in farm labour.
There was a general decline in temperaturas which also hurt
crops. This, combined with the use of rudimentary agricultural
tolos and techniques, resulted in low agricultural yields.
o Population. Europes population grew at a very slow pace and
some regions had a noticeable population decline.

THE 17 TH CENTURY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES

In this century northern Europe suffered important changes that would be
the basis for further economic growth. The bourgeoisie consolidated its
status in a society in which wealth was becoming a key factor in its
hierarchy.
-

Agricultural advances
There were key renovations in farming techniques in England, the
Netherlands, and Northern Italy. A new crop rotation system
substituted fallow lands for forage plants. This also alllowed farmers
to raise more livestock.

Industry
New forms of production were also developed:
o
o

Manufacturing used large factories.

Domestic indystry employed peasants. They had no unions and
worked with the raw materials and tolos their business owners
gave them.

Bussiness companies
Commercial companies were created in England and Holland. The
state gave them the trade monopoly in an area, such as the Dutch
East India Compamy or the English East India Company.

Capitalism

Industry and trade laid the foundations for a capitalist system. Stock
markets emerged, like the Amsterdam Stock Exchange , founded in
1602. Mercantilism linked a country s wealth with the accumulation
of precious metals. This was achieved by promoting domestic industry
and exports.
2

POLITICAL CHANGES
THE THIRTY YEARSS WAR

In 1618, a conflict broke out within the Holy Roman Empire in the state of
Bohemia. This conflict eventually became a European issue lasting thirty
tears and it involved almost all the great powers in Europe. The causes of
the Thirty Years War were:
-

Religious: a tensin between Protestants and Catholics in the Holy

Roman States,
Territorial: the desire by some States for Independence from the Holy
Roman Empire ot the interest of others to increase their territories.
Political:the attempt of some countries like France , Denmark, and
Sweden to counter the Habsburg rule in Europe.
DATES:
1618: Conflict breaks out between Protestants and Catholics
1625: The siege of the city of Breda is a Catholic victory of the
Spanish tercios.
1635: France, a Catholic country, enters the conflicto on the
Protestant side to weaken the Habsburgs.
1643: Catholics are defeated in the battle of Rocroi.
1648: The Peace of Westphalia is signed, recognising the
Independence of the Netherlands and proclaiming religious freedom
in Europe.
1659: Spain and France continued to fight until the Peace of the
Pyrenees is signed and France achieves dominance in Europe.

NEW POLITICAL SYSTEMS

-

Absolute monarchy
In the 17 th century, France evolved into an absolute monarchy under
Louis XIV.This means that all the power was held by the king, who
received his authority from God. Louis XIV, the Sun King , is one of the
best examples of this type of monarchy. His famous declaration:I am
the State, reflected his absolutist principles. During his long life,
Louis was a patron of the arts at the magnificent new palace that he
built in Versailles.

Parliamentary system
Some states implemented parliamentary systems that were
precursors to our current models of government.
o Netherlands. After their Independence from Spain, they formed
a governmen made up of seven provinces. Each had its own

parliament and the States-General made decisions that

affected all of the provinces. Political officers had the executive
power.
England. King Charles I tried to establish an absolute monarchy
but he was strongly opposed by Parliament, which was
controlled by radical protestants. Parliamentary forces
triumphed in a Civil War and Charles I was executedin 1649.
England was a republic for the next eleven years ruled by
Oliver Cromwell. The Monarchy was then restored, but a
second uprising, called the Glorious Revolution, overthrew king
James II in 1688, deposed the king, and replaced him with
Wiliam of Orange. England remained a monarchy, but a Bill of
Rights recognised the right to hold elections and confirmed the
powers of Parliament. These changes set England on the road
towards a parliamentary monarchy. (After the Glorious
Revolution, the English parliamentary system was divided into
two chambers: the house of Lords made up of members of the
nobility, and the House of Commons made up of members of
the bourgeoisie.

THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

BIRTH OF MODERN SCIENCE

There was an authentic revolution inthe 17 th century that laid the

foundations of Modern Scence. This revolution was posible, thanks to the
changes in thought that humanism had spread the century before. They led
to:
-

Empiricism
It claims that knowledge comes from experience. One must deny
absolute truths because all truth must always be tested.
o Francis Bacon, (1561-1626) his work, Novum organum explains
that the experience we perceive through our senses is what
feeds our knowledge. We can only prove our previous ideas
through observation.
Rationalism
It claims that reason is the main tool for generating knowlege and
minimices perception and experience.
o The French philosopher Ren Descartes was the father of
rationalism. He argued that we should use our reason to
discover universal truths. He also established methodic doubt:
Cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am).

MATHEMATICS
-

Ren Descartes (1596- 1650): He created analytic geometry in which

geometric shapes are represented by algebraic and numerical
expressions.

Blaise Pascal (1623- 1662): He invented one of the first calculators.

He also laid the foundations for probability and statistics.
Leibniz (1646- 1716): He invented a calculator that could also
multiply. He invented calculus at the same time as Newton, but
independently.

ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS

-

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): He formulated a heliocentric theory,

which was condemned by the Church . He perfected the telescope,
which later allowed him to confirm his heliocentric theory.
Kepler (1571- 1630): He proved that the planets have elliptical orbits
and no circular ones, as was previously thought. He formulated the
las of the elliptical orbits of the planets.
Isaac Newton (1643-1727): He established the law of universal
gravitation , which allowed him to accurately explain the movements
of the planets and why falling bodies areattracted by Earths gravity.
Newton also discovered calculus at the same time as Leibniz.
Pascal (1623-1662): He clarified the concept of emptiness and he
demonstrated the change in atmospheric pressure with height.
Torricelli (1608-1647): He invented the barometer which measures the
atmospheric pressure or the weight of air.

BIOLOGY
-

Harvey (1578-1657): He described how the heart pumped blood

throughout the circulatory system.
Hooke (1635-1703): He perfected the microscope discovered the cell.
Leeuwenhoek (1632- 17 23):He improved the microscope and
observed bacteria and dscovered microorganisms.
BAROQUE ART

THE MEANING OF BAROQUE ART

The Baroque style swept through Europe during the 17 th century and the
first decades of the 18 th century. Baroque art has an iportant theatrical
component, combining architecture, painting, and scuplture.
Art was used as propaganda to demonstrate the power of the Catholic
Church. It sought to impress through grandeur by using complex and ornate
scenes. Its dramatic figures aimed to move the viewer. Baroque artists used
contrast of light and colour as well as movement in their artwork.
With absolutism, the Baroque style also became a way to express the power
of kings, either in paintings full of symbolism displaying their triumphs, or in
luxurious palaces reflecting their wealth and power.
-

Architecture
Baroque architecture used the classic elements of the Renaissance.

o
o

It used monumentalism and an anti-classical sense of

disproportion. Its complex composition sought something more
spectacular, dynamic, and surprising.
It incorporated new elements like curved, concave, and convex
shapes to create chiaroscuro effects.
Buildings were excessively ornate, and more attention was paid
to urban planning. Large squares or plazas were built, often
decorated with fountains, landscaped avenues, and buildings
constructed in this new style.

Painting
Paintings were widespread and of great importance. Here are some
common characteristics of Baroque paintings:
Absence of sketching. Most painters painted directly on the
canvas and no longer drew previous outlines.
o Use of chiaroscuro. Light was used as an element to accentuate
drama and to provide scene depth.
o Search for movement. Dynamism was achieved through
asymetrical and diagonal compositions in which figures were
arranged sideways, creating foreshortening.
o Varied themes. Besides religious topics, there were also others
such as mythology, portraits, or landscapes.
Sculpture
Baroque sculptures were decorative and sensationalist and aimed to
surprise and move the viewer.
o Realism: figures were not idealised but, rather represented as
they really were.
o Expressiveness. Scenes were full of feeling and emotion.
o Dynamism. Figures seemed forced and often appearing
unbalanced, which sought to capture the essence of the
fleeting moment.
o Brightness. Effects of light and shadow were created to add
realism to clothing and to create complexity and drama in the
composition.
o

THE BAROQUE PERIOD IN EUROPE

ROME, THE BAROQUE CAPITAL

Rome became the ideal stage to spread Baroque propaganda.

-

Architecture
A new urban model was designed with squares filled ith churches and
palaces. Important architects were:
o Bernini created the Piazza San Pietro and the Piazza Navona.
o Francesco Borromini, he designed small churches with
spectacular curved faades, like the church, San Carlo alle
Quattro Fontane.
Painting

There were two movements: a classical movement, represented by

Anibale Carraci, and the naturalist movement represented by
Caravaggio.
Caravaggio had a great influence on other artists. He represented
religious and mythological scenes without idealising them. In many of
Caravaggios paintings a scene in shadows was theatrically
illuminated by light.
He represented his figures naturally without hiding their defects. This
style is called tenebrism and it greatly influence many other Eropean
painters.
Sculpture
These mainly had religious themes, although the classical tradition
continued with mythological topics. Berninis works like Ecstasy of St.
Teresa and Apollo and Dafne, is perhaps the one who best exemplifies
Baroque sculptors. Large fountains are also a clear example of
statues in the Italian school of Baroque.

THE EXPANSION OF BAROQUE

-

France
Baroques development coincided with the house of Bourbons
expansion of absolutism. Large palaces were built and spectacularly
decorated to glorify the monarchy.
England
The Baroque was more reserved. The architect at the time was
Christopher Wren, designer of St. Pauls Cathedral in London. He was
influenced by the St. Peter Basilica in Rome.
Flanders
An important Flemish Baroque painter is Rubens, who created such
masterpieces as The Descent from the Cross or the mythological
piece The Three Graces. He painted for the courts in Europe,
paricularly those in Spain.
Netherlands
Rembrandt was known for his etchings and biblical paintings. Vermeer
was very interested in recreating interior lighting. Franz Hals was a
painter of portraits with strong psychological insight.

THE BAROQUE PERIOD IN SPAIN

The Baroque was used throughout Spain as a tool for religious propaganda
and the glorification of the power of the monarchy.
-

Architecture
The spread of the Counter-Reformation in Spain led to the
construction of numerous religious buildings such as dramatically
decorated churches and convents.
Urban architecture was also developed at this time with the
construction of many main squares.

Sculpture
The more important sculptures were alterpieces intended to adorn
churches and procesional images. These masterpieces were made in
polychrome Wood and are known for their dramatic realism. The most
important sculptors were: Gregorio Fernndez, Martnez ontas, and
Alonso Cano.
Painting
Spanish painting became renowned worlwide. The most important
painters were:
o Francisco de Zurbarn, who was known for his sentimental
monastic scenes.
o Bartolom Esteban Murillo, who painted religious scenes full of
symbolism.
o Jos de Ribera, who was known as the Spagnoletto and was
greatly influenced by the Tenebrism of Caravaggio.

DIEGO DE VELZQUEZ
The most important Spanish painter was Diego de Velzquez (1599-1660)
who was one of the greatest artista of all time. His work can be divided into
three stages:
-

Sevilla (1599)
Velzquez was born in Sevilla in 1599. His early work was highly
realistic.he often painted scenes from low life , like the Old Woman
Frying Eggs (La vieja friendo huevos)
Madrid (1623)
In 1623 he went t olive in Madrid where king Felipe IV made him the
court painter. This was why so many of his paintings represented
members of the royal family and courtiers like the Count-Duke of
Olivares. He also painted sympathetic portraits of buffoons and
dwarfs.
Italy.
o First visit (1629 1630)
Velzquez made two visits to Italy, where he studied the work
of the great Italian painters. After his first visit to Italy,
Velzquez returned to Madrid where he painted many of his
portraits, nudes and landscapes. He also depicted
contemporary events such as The Surrender of Breda (La
rendicin de Breda in 1635.
o Second visit (1649 1651)
After a second visit to Italy, he crated large, complex
compositions which showed complete mastery of perspective
and the effects of light. Velzquezs later style included
mythological paintings like The Fable of Arachne (Las
Hilanderas). And Las Meninas, his extraordinary portrayal of
Felipe IVs family.