I love the baroque, both musically and in image, and I’m mystified by some people’s reaction to it. The vivid visions are the point, the complication is the point, a stairway up in ear and eye. As far as I’m concerned, if it isn’t Baroque… don’t fix it.
Baroque! A sublime explosion of shapes, colours, feelings ... At times, one could consider this exaggerated, but, reeemeeembeeer, this is pure human imagination and craft.
No AI. Where has such imagination gone, by the way?
I loved this! I knew of the Catholic Church’s usage and patronage of art so as to exemplify the power and grandeur of Christ; however I did not know that the art and specifically baroque was used as a tool against the Protestant reformation by inspiring the common man. Great essay!!
Trent by John W O'Malley is a great book to read for more historical context. The council of Trent pretty much outlined what post-reformation art should be like so it’s like a rulebook for Baroque art.
Would love to know what texts you read for research. Will definitely add to my reading list!
As someone who grew up in a lot of Catholic Churches, I can’t wait to take the lessons from this and apply is to silly baseball takes and short stories.
This was a fascinating read into the purpose of Baroque art within the life of faith of Catholics (I am not a Catholic). I appreciate understanding a little better what this art form is trying to do for the common people, especially the idea of participation with God in the things of His Kingdom. It reminds me of the little bit I have gleaned about why Orthodox use iconography—as I understand it, they see it as the saints meeting us in our day like a window of the heavens. I can appreciate that, even though I don’t particularly care for iconography. It at least helps me see it isn’t the worship of the saints or idolatry, like I tended to interpret it in the past. Thanks for this!
The love-or-hate framing is the right way in, because the baroque is one of the few styles that will not let you be neutral. What strikes me is that the objection to it is almost always moral rather than visual; people call it gaudy when they mean immodest. A style that insists on overwhelming you is asking for a kind of surrender, and plenty of us would rather not.
I love the baroque, both musically and in image, and I’m mystified by some people’s reaction to it. The vivid visions are the point, the complication is the point, a stairway up in ear and eye. As far as I’m concerned, if it isn’t Baroque… don’t fix it.
Rather, if it isn’t baroque, do fix it.
"The baroque, in other words, is a call to participation: a call to join in the timeless and eternal drama of the Christian story."
Beautifully said.
Baroque! A sublime explosion of shapes, colours, feelings ... At times, one could consider this exaggerated, but, reeemeeembeeer, this is pure human imagination and craft.
No AI. Where has such imagination gone, by the way?
Yay! This explains why I love baroque art and music — I just didn't realize why before now.
If it's not baroque, don't mend it!
😆😆😆
I once saw a definition on a T-Shirt that read:
“Baroque is when you are all out of Monet” 🤪
I loved this! I knew of the Catholic Church’s usage and patronage of art so as to exemplify the power and grandeur of Christ; however I did not know that the art and specifically baroque was used as a tool against the Protestant reformation by inspiring the common man. Great essay!!
Thank you for sharing this terrific piece on the Catholic Church's embrace of art, beauty, and truth.
Beautifully written.
Trent by John W O'Malley is a great book to read for more historical context. The council of Trent pretty much outlined what post-reformation art should be like so it’s like a rulebook for Baroque art.
Would love to know what texts you read for research. Will definitely add to my reading list!
Bernini was a freak! I love him…
Thank you for explaining this! I'd always been confused by the exact definition of Baroque, so this answers all my questions.
Loved the ending. We do possess a hunger for the divine
I love Baroque, but I have to admit that sometimes, it can be a little too much for me...
As someone who grew up in a lot of Catholic Churches, I can’t wait to take the lessons from this and apply is to silly baseball takes and short stories.
In a weird way I now think 21st century baseball is baroque. It’s used as this Americana propaganda. (See 2026 all star game)
This was a fascinating read into the purpose of Baroque art within the life of faith of Catholics (I am not a Catholic). I appreciate understanding a little better what this art form is trying to do for the common people, especially the idea of participation with God in the things of His Kingdom. It reminds me of the little bit I have gleaned about why Orthodox use iconography—as I understand it, they see it as the saints meeting us in our day like a window of the heavens. I can appreciate that, even though I don’t particularly care for iconography. It at least helps me see it isn’t the worship of the saints or idolatry, like I tended to interpret it in the past. Thanks for this!
The love-or-hate framing is the right way in, because the baroque is one of the few styles that will not let you be neutral. What strikes me is that the objection to it is almost always moral rather than visual; people call it gaudy when they mean immodest. A style that insists on overwhelming you is asking for a kind of surrender, and plenty of us would rather not.