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Chapter 8
Prelude: The Late
Baroque Period
Absolutism and the
Age of Science
Key Terms
Baroque
Absolutism
Age of Science
Theatricality
Late Baroque Timeline
Absolutism and the Age of
Science
Age of Absolutism
• Divine right of kings–rise of absolute monarch
• Pomp and splendor of royal courts
Age of Science
• Development of scientific method, habits of
scientific experimentation and proof
• New understandings of natural world
stimulated technology & philosophy
Important dualism–pomp & extravagance
vs. system & logic
Age of Absolutism
Decreasing power of Church contributed
to rise of absolute monarchs
King Louis XIV of France the most
powerful monarch in European history
Louis celebrated himself in opulent,
extravagant art, architecture, and music
Lesser kings and nobles emulated pomp
and splendor of French court
Age of Science
Use of scientific method led to many new
discoveries
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Theory of gravity (Newton)
Laws of mechanics (Newton)
Invention of calculus (Leibniz & Newton)
Telescope and microscope
Discoveries influenced both technology
and philosophy
• Advent of empiricism–Descartes, Locke, Hume
Art and Absolutism
Patronage of arts rose to new heights,
especially in France
All aspects of French life revolved around
royal court
French artists expected to symbolize
majesty of the state in their work
Versailles the largest, most imitated palace
in history
Music and art also epic in scale
The Music of Absolutism
Music required for all aspects of court life
Large festive orchestra (with trumpets &
drums) used to pay homage to nobles
Opera closely associated with royal courts
• The most lavish, spectacular entertainment of
the Baroque era
• Stories about heroes of mythology & history
• Often allegorical tributes to noble patrons
• Grand amalgam of many arts–music, drama,
art, architecture, dance, etc.
Art and Theatricality
Baroque obsession with emotions &
emotional extremes
Led to fascination with the theatre
All arts take on a dramatic quality with
theatrical gestures, strong contrasts
Baroque highlights—
• Theatre–Shakespeare, Corneille, Racine
• Art–Tiepolo, Guercino, Rembrandt
• Music–invention of opera
Science and the Arts
Impact of science on many arts
In painting—
• Precise, realistic use of detail & perspective
(scientific observation)
• New attention to light (optics)
In architecture—
• Symmetry & geometry of palaces (Versailles)
• Human regulation of nature (formal gardens)
In theater
• Mathematics of set design (Bibiena)
Science and Music (1)
Scales tuned (tempered) more precisely
• All 24 major & minor scales now usable
More systematic, logical use of harmony
• Stronger pull toward tonic
New regularity in rhythm
• Strong beat, steady meter, repeated patterns
Use of orderly formal schemes
• Musical time divided and filled systematically
• Allowed long pieces to retain logic, coherence
Science and Music (2)
Even musical expression was affected by
scientific thought
• Emotions now analyzed & classified
(Descartes)
• Systematic use of specific melodic motives,
rhythms, & keys to express each emotion
(Doctrine of Affections)
• Rational effort to maximize expression