Ep 1. Baroque! From St. Peter's to St. Paul's: Episode 1

In Understanding Art: Baroque & Rococo season 1 episode 1, titled "Baroque! From St. Peter's to St. Paul's: Episode 1," viewers are taken on a journey through the Baroque period, which began in the late 16th century and spread throughout Europe and beyond.

The episode starts by examining the grandeur and drama of Baroque art and architecture, and its roots in the turmoil and warfare of the time. We see impressive examples of Baroque art, including Bernini's sculptures, Caravaggio's paintings, and the elaborate interior of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The narrator explains how the Baroque style sought to evoke powerful emotions in viewers, often through exaggerated forms, exaggerated lighting, and intense contrasts such as light and shadow.

The episode then moves on to the flourishing of Baroque art in England under the reign of King Charles I, and his commissioning of the grandiose St. Paul's Cathedral. The narrator explores the political and religious motivations behind the cathedral's design, as well as the challenges faced by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect tasked with realizing its monumental vision. We see how the use of new technology such as the telescope and the barometer inspired Wren's innovative solutions in construction and engineering.

The episode ends with a survey of the Baroque style's impact on the arts beyond Europe, exemplified by the great Jesuit missions in China and South America. We learn how the Jesuits used the power of Baroque art to impress and convert the native populations, and how this approach led to the fusion of indigenous and European iconography. We see stunning examples of Baroque architecture in China, such as the Church of St. Joseph in Macau, and in South America, where the churches of Brazil and Mexico blended European and pre-Hispanic motifs.

Overall, "Baroque! From St. Peter's to St. Paul's: Episode 1" offers an informative and visually sumptuous introduction to this influential artistic style, illuminating its key characteristics and historical context. Viewers will come away with a new appreciation for the Baroque's power and grandeur, as well as its ongoing legacy in the global arts.