5 November 2024
Since our time in Gallipoli, we have been wondering why there are so many churches. From our guide book, we learnt that churches were built by wealthy families to show off their wealth. I guess you could show off with worst things… In Lecce, there are also many churches. But Lecce is also seen as the Baroque city.
I have artist cousins, but have very little knowledge of art myself. So I tried to read up a little on what constitutes Baroque art and architecture, and on the difference between Baroque and Renaissance. I found it quite fascinating. In short – Baroque architecture means drama and excessively ornate almost (but rather don’t quote me on that). The blog that I found explaining the difference as far as art goes, I found quite fascinating, and I now find myself quite confidently (although possibly not always correctly) going around identifying artwork as either Renaissance or Baroque. It’s really quite simple:
- Renaissance is about stability, where Baroque is about drama
- The stability is achieved with straight lines – horizontal and/or vertical. The drama is achieved by diagonal lines or arches.
- Renaissance has an implied length of time. So really, it looks like the subject can maintain that pose for a good length of time (like the Mona Lisa). With Baroque, the subject could not possibly maintain their pose for more than just an instant. So they would be busy running maybe, or have an expression of surprise maybe.
- The background. Have you ever really noticed the background of the Mona Lisa? I don’t believe I ever noticed how detailed it is. That’s Renaissance for you. Baroque backgrounds are often dark, and mostly imply drama.
I should give credit to the blog where I learnt all this (or maybe apologise for misinterpreting it 😐 ) : Renaissance Art vs. Baroque Art: Understanding the Difference, by Lee Down.
We spent the day strolling through the old town. And, of course, seeing the many churches.
We had a very early dinner, or was it a very late lunch. I must say that I was somewhat surprised to start seeing things on restaurant menus like ‘Pezzetti di Cavallo al Sugo’ – or translated on the menu as ‘Pieces of Horse in Sauce’. No, we didn’t try it.
Tomorrow we might head out of the city to a beach somewhere.
