Protestant Reformation Vs Catholic Counter Reformation How it

Protestant Reformation Vs. Catholic Counter. Reformation How it effected Art

Protestant Reformation • Generally Northern Europe • Began in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses On the Power of Indulgences on a church door. – Basically Luther’s complaints on the ideas of Catholic Church (too strict and corrupt) – The church should be changed (or reformed) so that it was less greedy, fairer and accessible to all people, not just the rich and well educated

Change in Art • During Middle Ages, art focused on religious content with symbolism (not realistic) • Renaissance artists changed symbolist content to realistic humanist content – Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci—created paintings and sculptures in idealistic human form (ideal beauty)

Change in Art cont. • Protestant leaders denounced the Catholic imagery as “idol worship” and called for its destruction – Main issues with Protestant Reformation was Catholics worshipping images of Virgin Mary and saints – Protestants believe you can reach God directly through Jesus, not by worshipping saints and the Virgin Mary

The Result • Less images of Bible stories • More images of everyday activities and scenes from nature (Bruegel) • Portrait painting became popular (Titian)

Ideal Beauty? • Martin Luther maintained that humanity is perfection – Result: • Less “perfect” bodies • Less pictures of crucifixion • Less artwork of saints and Virgin Mary • More artwork of modern life and narrative stories from Bible (not idealistic)

• By Jan Van Eyck • Painting of a wedding • Full of symbolism – Not ideal worship of God, but real

Counter-Reformation • In late 1540’s, Catholic Church became “threatened” by Protestants • Formed Council of Trent – Met periodically between 1545 and 1563 to reform the Protestant-Reformation – Decided that art of the church should be direct and not contain symbols or “incidentals” – Nudity should be avoided at all costs – Focus on the Madonna, Saints, and crucifixion

Passion of Christ • Counter-Reformation stated that art should portray God in the “natural beauty of his creation and by depicting people who were created in His image. ” • Art for the church was strictly to be religious for the purpose of glorifying God and Catholic traditions • No “irregular” images

Passion • Lamentation by Scipione Pulzone • Focus directly on crucifixion (no symbols) • Christ is the ideal human image • Perfect Counter. Reformation art

Sistine Madonna • By Raphael • Madonna holding baby Jesus • Two saints: St. Sixtus and St. Barbara • Two cherubs

Protestant Last Supper

Protestant Art • Originally titled Last Supper by Veronese • Regarded as inappropriate by Catholics – Too messy—full of “buffoons, drunken Germans, dwarfs, and other such scurrilities” • Veronese told to change the painting by council of Trent – Name changed to Feast in the House of Levi instead

Counter-Reformation • Corruption of the Roman-Catholic Church was dramatically reformed • Bishops visited churches regularly to keep tabs on clergy and maintain proper worship • No longer threatened by Protestants – Began to branch out

Strength • Counter-Reformation grew stronger and began to take their teachings to other nations – Missionaries to Americas, Africa, India, and Asia – Used art as a means of speaking • Counter-Reformation art can be found all over the world