Renaissance / Baroque Architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, in which there was a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman antiquity. The Renaissance style places emphasis on symmetry, proportion, geometry and the regularity of parts as they are demonstrated in the architecture of classical antiquity and in particular ancient Roman architecture, of which many examples remained. Orderly arrangements of columns, pilasters and lintels, as well as the use of semicircular arches, hemispherical domes and niches replaced the more complex proportional systems and irregular profiles of medieval buildings.
Baroque architecture (Italian for bizarre), starting in the early 17th century in Italy, took the humanist Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical, theatrical, sculptural fashion, expressing the triumph of absolutist church and state — it was a play on the architectural language elements developed during the renaissance. New architectural concerns for color, light and shade, sculptural values and intensity characterize the Baroque. The Baroque played into the demand for an architecture that was on the one hand more accessible to the emotions and, on the other hand, a visible statement of the wealth and power of the Church.
Images of St. Peter Basilica and Square
The following are images of St. Peter’s Basilica and Square — one of the most spiritually important buildings in Rome and perhaps the world. The Baroque Masterpiece is the largest church in the world and the heart of the Vatican.
Plaza del Pilar
The Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, Spain is a wonderful urban space rich in history and culture. Within it are some of Zaragoza’s most important buildings — the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of the Savior), the City Hall, La Lonja, and much more. There are even accessible Roman ruins directly [...]
Skyline of Florence from the Duomo
The magnificent skyline of Renaissance Florence is composed of a rigid urban landscape of low-rise buildings, accentuated by towering civic landmarks and important buildings.
The Duomo
I spoke previously about the wonderful urban qualities of the streets of Florence (Firenze), Italy and also discussed some of the urban art that makes the streets alive and vibrant. I therefore decided to include a picture set of The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore which is perhaps the most recognizable building in Florence, and maybe even the entire Italian Peninsula. The building serves as [...]
Piazza of Masterpieces
I have discussed the qualities that make the streets of Renaissance Florence active, interesting, and spontaneous. A variety of streets and public spaces narrow and widen to create different spatial experiences around the city. Buildings along the streets and plazas enclose urban space giving definition to the urban fabric, much like interior walls give definition to [...]
Streets of Florence
I still remember the first time I was told to go to Florence. I was sitting in a small dark bar at 4:00 am in Rome with two friends enjoying some European draft beers.
