Baroque & Rococo

The San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Located in Rome Italy, Designed by Francesco Borromini, Built in 1638-77, ( Image found at http://www.italian-architecture.info/).

The Trevi Fountain, Located in Rome Italy, Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Built in 1732-7, ( Image located at pangea.stanfor.edu)

The Die Wies, Located in Bavaria Germany, Designed by Zimmerman, ( Image located at http://www.wieskirche.de/)

The San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane replicates the S and C shapes in it's facade of the building which was a main stylistic feature of the period, giving the sense of movement. It also incorporates elaborate decoration and use of sculptures which was also a feature of the movement. The Trevi Foutain resembles the stylistic feature and characteristics of the Baroque movement as it creates a dramtic scene, incorporates a number of sculptures and fountains were a main feature of the time with many houses having them as an integral feature in formal gardens. The Die Wies in Germany shows the Rococo movement and again shows the S and C shapes of the walls and ceiling creating movement and again a sense of drama, strongly influenced by the theatre at the time. The interior view shows the highly elaborate decoration with the painting, the stucco and the sculptures. It also uses a lot of white and pastel colours in the design which was also a major feature of the Rococo movement.

While i appreciate the design elements and elaborate detail in decoration gone into the Baroque and Rococo movements i don't find the movement appealing at all. I think it's a bit too overdone and should be toned down, which obvious when shown through the movements that came after this.

Renaissance

The Florence Cathedral, Located in Florence Italy, Designed by Brunelleschi, Built in 1420-34, ( Image located at http://www.ucalgary.ca/).

The Villa Capra (Rotunda), Located in Vicenza Italy, Designed by Andrea Palladio, Built in 1565-9, ( Image located at architecture.about.com).

The Chateau Chambord, Located in France, Designed by Domencio da Cortona ( but possible that Leonardo da Vinci modified it), Built in 1519-47, (Image found at famouswonders.com)

The Florence Cathedral in corporates the semi eliptical dome, one of the major stylistic features of the time. From this image you can also see the rounded arches and windows which were other characteristics of the time. The Villa Capra comunicates the symmetry which was a popular building feature of the time and shows the rounded arches again, classical orders and a small semi eliptical dome in the centre of the house. The Chateau Chambord in France replicates the typical French Renaissance style roof where they have instead of one large roof they have a number of small individual roofs with extravagantly decorated dorma windows and chimneys.

I like the Reanissance period because of the influences and ideology behind the architecture, in designing for themselves and the people rather than for God and their faith. I like the influences of the art and theatre which is obvious through the increase in decoration and which is further expanded on in the later Baroque and Rococo movements.