These artists thought that the only way for the Catholic Church to regain its influence was by severing its links to the state. These links had discredited the Church in the eyes of the public by the popes having a larger interest in lavishing their own families with money and land, commissioning new artwork, and other secular preoccupations. As such, the liberal artists insisted that art had to help the church detach itself from the state. Alexandre Francois Rio was a prominent champion of the Catholic liberal movement who served as the liaison between the conservative factions of the art fraternity and the liberal movement. The artists who identified with Rio’s view saw artwork as the unseen hand that ensured the Christian ideals manifested in the lives of the ordinary people.
“Visual Literacy” The influence of the Counter-Reformation on the state of visual art in the early 16th century was dramatic. Much of the art of this period was used as an educational tool for Catholics who may not have been literate, but were devoted to the images and sculptures in their churches. Protestants, especially Martin Luther who translated Scripture into the common vernacular, were extremely adamant about the masses being literate especially in regards to Scripture. As a way to present the same education to the entire population, the Catholic Church emphasized education by visual literacy. Many of the defining features of Baroque art can be traced back to the influence of the Catholic Church, specifically the members of the Jesuits.
An emerging interest in human reason posed a threat to the church, which by now favored order, conservatism, and stability. As one author puts it, "Movements suspected of enthusiasm, such as Puritanism, Quietism, and Janesism, fell into disrepute, and the authority exercised by the state in religious affairs became more pronounced. It was an age dominated by Reason, which, until it provoked a reaction in such movements as Pietism and Evangelism, posed a formidable challenge to Christianity. Out of the Age of Reason came renewed interests in art, architecture, and music. The church used these as tools for enhancing worship, affirming faith, teaching, and advancing aesthetics.
Peter and scenes like the nativity, the Ascension of Jesus, his Crucifixion, among others. The religious theme fit closely with the life of individuals within the society of the time of the production of these works of art. Some art was even commissioned by Popes, priests, church ministers and other patrons. The artists produced sacred images, imagery and subjects in their paintings and sculptures - which were at the time used for religious purposes and not to be admired solely as works of art (History). Some of the best, most well-known and most copied art and artists had emerged from this time period.
The Catholic church at the time also held more power than the state. In Candide, Voltaire satirized the corruption of religion. For example the he satirizes the lack of celibacy members of the church did not hold who had sex. "Received this present from a very learned Franciscan monk who received it to a marquise, who caught it from a Jesuit"(Voltaire pg 48). Voltaire referred the gift that was used in the story which was syphilis.
In this research paper, I compare two pieces of artwork; Madonna and child with the saints by Giovanni Bellini and Madonna and child with the two angels done by Fra Filippo Lippi. Madonna and child are amongst the most popular yet controversial topics in the Christian art. Most of the pieces of art done on this topic usually have Mary and Jesus either surrounded by angels or saints who pay respect to them. It is an important figure in Catholicism as it reminds the believers about their faith. Both the two artworks were done during the Renaissance period with Madonna and child with the two angels being done around 1465 while Madonna and child with the saints being done around 1505.
Introduction During the 1400’s, Spain was divided and was in a state of violence and rioting. At the time, religion and belief in the Catholic Church seemed to be the only thing that could bring the country together as one, even though the church was weak and corrupt due to previous years of violence it prevailed over politics as most of the population was Christian. The Queen and King of Spain saw this as a chance to unify their country and set about making reforms to the church. The Inquisition was not a new idea and had been used around Europe for many years by the pope of the Catholic Church before the fifteenth century to keep the supremacy of the Catholic belief. It was later introduced to Spain as a court run by priests which would
This tradition is learned from family, parents, and friends and is known as, ‘poetic Catholicism’ (76). High tradition is learned from theology books, documents, and the papacy, while popular tradition relies on rituals, art, music, stories, etc. There is a clash between the two traditions, as some Catholics believe that only high tradition can produce real Catholicism. Dogma and doctrine is more important to some Catholics, than experience and narrative. Greeley explicates that two types of tradition must communicate with one another, so that they can work together harmoniously.
Martin Luther’s views of the Roman Catholic Church started off good, until he began to question some of the Church’s practices and the way it used faith to control the population. Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible and the Catholic Church’s condemnation of such activities led to the question of whom exactly should be reading the Scriptures and who was capable of understanding them. Can the average Christian study the Bible, or does the Pope have a monopoly on scriptural
Alighieri: Yes, but at the moment I do not want to get into too much detail. However I would like to say that one of my main goals, as I found myself writing The Divine Comedy. Is that I wanted to “make people better by helping them to understand the true nature of the universe”(Burge 11). Interviewer: Why is it that you wanna show this to people? Alighieri: You see, during this time there has been a lot of corruption in the church.