Languages of Baroque / Illusion, gesture and movement

The art of quadratura developed for the sake of more dazzling and persuasive visual spectacles and spiritual experiences.

The theatrical character of the Baroque and its imitative inclination allowed painting to compete with architecture in the field of illusionist painting. The art of quadratura developed for the sake of more dazzling and persuasive visual spectacles and spiritual experiences. Elaborate foreshortenings of painted architecture, carefully designed and created to enhance real architectural space, developed the quattrocento (15th-century) concept known as di sotto in sù, (lit. seen from below), which was first introduced by Melozzo da Forli and Andrea Mantegna. Optical illusion was inherent not only to painting, but “is in fact amongst the most characteristic devices of Baroque architecture” as well. (Pevsner, 1943).

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Sant'Andrea della Valle, Glory of the Virgin fresco1625–27Rome, Latium, ItalyLanfranco's masterpiece Assumption of the Virgin was inspired by Correggio's Proto-Baroque dome-fresco depicting the same theme, which was executed between 1526 and 1530 in Parma Cathedral. The vortex of figures is unique in the art of 17th-century Rome.
Church of St. Ignatius, Triumph of St. Ignatius ceiling fresco1691–94Rome, Latium, ItalyPainted on the flat ceiling, Pozzo's quadratura extends real architectural space into open sky, where the apotheosis of St. Ignatius takes the central role.
Galleria del LegatoFirst half of the 18th centuryBologna, Emilia-Romagna, ItalyAlthough not very well known to the public, it is a fundamental example of Bolognese prospective quadratura. Painted illusionistic architecture displays columns and pillars which stand on false parapets or balustrades. The trompe l'oeil effect is extremely convincing and gives the impression of resting on a genuine plaster cornice.
Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes1731Refectory, Premonstratensian Monastery, Hradisko u OlomouceOlomouc, Moravia, Czech Republic
Illusionistic dome1750Nave ceiling, Church of St. George in Purga LepoglavskaPurga Lepoglavska, North-West Croatia, Croatia
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Illusionistic dome1750Nave ceiling, Church of St. George in Purga Lepoglavska
Pauline Monk and a Man (Confession?)1750Presbytery (left, north, wall), Church of St. George in Purga Lepoglavska
Spada Palace, The Perspective Corridor1652–53Rome, Latium, ItalyOnly by walking through the perspective do we realise the deceptive optical effect produced by Borromini: the mosaic floor is placed on a slope, so as one proceeds towards the end part of the vault it is lower, and the distance between the columns is reduced both in depth and in width.