Blog Post #8 - Renaissance and Baroque

 

The Renaissance was a time of historic revival during which architects and designers were inspired by ancient Greek and Roman works. However, while retaining and combining Classical forms, designers added very ornate decorations that gave Renaissance design a completely new look. During this time, the culture was entirely man-centered, and designers strove for perfection, which is expressed in the architecture. For example, Santa Maria della Consolazione is a perfectly symmetrical centrally planned church in which form was unfortunately emphasized over function, leading to an unclear entrance and confusing interior flow. Regarding interiors, studies developed as a means of integrating work into one’s home life. These rooms housed desks, benches, book-storage cabinets, and chests and were used for trade meetings, quiet reflection, reading, and writing.

The Baroque period was characterized by movement and emotion in form, resulting in complex and sometimes asymmetrical buildings. For example, San Carlo alle Quattro in Italy features a façade that bends, breaks, and includes geometric forms such as ovals and ellipses. In France, King Louis XIV established a national architectural style and created guilds and trade schools to train royal craftsmen. His palace, Versailles, was regal, impressive, and expensive, representing his wealth and political power. Versailles included beautiful symmetrical gardens with water features. An especially impressive interior room was the Hall of Mirrors, which was very expensive because mirrors were rare. The Hall boasted arched windows and beautiful candelabras to evoke feelings of awe and respect for the king.

Santa Maria della Consolazione consists of five domes and is perfectly symmetrical.

The stunning Versailles Gardens include pools and waterworks.

 

The Hall of Mirrors in Versailles

 

This modern water feature is a product of pools in the Versailles Garden.

The wall of mirrors and ornate chandelier in this modern room are reminiscent of the Hall of Mirrors.

A renaissance trestle table form is simplified for modern use and complemented by matching benches.

One Step Further

Francesco Borromini studied architecture and practiced stonemasonry as a young man in Milan. Later in his life, he designed San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, a beautifully complex church in Rome. He created the floor plan using overlapping geometric shapes, which in turn established a complicated roof with interesting flowing shapes. Borromini is famous for using geometric shapes and Classical forms to create emotion in his works. He also had a sound understanding of structures, more so than his rival Bernini, who was a sculptor by trade.

The wavy façade of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

This section elevation of San Carlo shows reveals that the interior of the building was just as complex as the exterior.

This floor plan shows the underlying ovals, rectangles, and polygons that were extruded to create an interesting roof structure.

Geometric shapes were also used in the dome.

 

Closing Reflection

Overall, I appreciate how both design periods utilized Classical forms in new ways to create exciting spaces. During the Renaissance, a focus on the individual led to an emphasis on functional homes with comfortable furniture and studies for personal work. The Baroque period’s most significant pieces are complex and lavish palaces, such as Versailles, that were designed to express power and status. In the process, stunning gardens and interior spaces developed and left a lasting impact on the world of design.