3/11 art 102

Overview of Key Concepts

• Understanding the relationship between style and subject in works of art is crucial for analyzing meaning in art.

• Examine the importance of Baroque style, particularly within the context of French art and architecture under Louis XIV.

Preparing for the Exam

• Use Google Chrome for accessing the exam on Canvas, particularly via the test module.

• Avoid accessing the exam through the grade book to prevent errors.

Louis XIV and the Baroque Era

Significance

• Louis XIV is an important figure in France during the Baroque period, known for his commitment to promoting French art and culture as statecraft.

• He believed that showcasing French cultural production was a way to assert France's superiority over other European nations.

Leadership Style

• Came to the throne at age five; took full control at age 18 by removing his mother’s ministers and selecting his own, favoring loyalty.

• His personality was bold, and he was confident in asserting his will, particularly in matters of governance, culture, and the arts.

Art and Architecture

• French Baroque is characterized by a blend of classical elements and Baroque stylistic features:

  • Luminous quality in paintings; balance between naturalism and theatricality.

  • Buildings such as the Louvre illustrate the Baroque architectural classicism with regulated forms, order, and a clear influence from classical architecture.

The Academy System

Establishment

• Louis XIV established and funded the Academy of French Painting as government-supported institutions to control artistic production.

• He aimed to elevate French art and mitigate foreign influences by training artists within an organized framework.

Influence

• The academy system influenced art across Europe, with many nations adopting similar structures in the late Baroque period.

• Even contemporary architecture and design lean on Beaux-Arts principles rooted in this academy system.

Versailles: A Symbol of Power

Construction and Expansion

• Versailles began as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII, dramatically expanded by Louis XIV into a grand palace that controlled and displayed royal power.

• Every noble in France was mandated to live at Versailles as an assertion of dominance by Louis XIV over elite rivalries.

Architecture and Gardens

• Architecturally, Versailles is a spectacle meant to reflect the grandeur of Louis XIV’s reign:

  • Integration of garden design that emphasizes geometry and order, aiming to control nature.

  • Fountains and other displays were carefully orchestrated to symbolize royal power and control over nature.

Cultural Implications of Art

Role of Art in Society

• Louis XIV's vision positioned art as a moral and cultural cornerstone for civilized society, asserting that art should uplift and reflect the values of the nation.

• The artistic debate would continue into future movements, questioning the purpose of art:

  • Neoclassicists: Art should reaffirm moral civilization.

  • Romantics: Challenged the notion, asking what art can address beyond morality.

Conclusion

• Understanding the Baroque period, especially French contributions during Louis XIV, is pivotal in grasping the evolution of Western art and architecture.

• Students should be prepared for detailed examinations of style, subject matter, and cultural implications, especially regarding key artworks, their meanings, and significance within the Baroque context.