High Renaissance And Baroque Analysis

The evolution of St Peter’s architecture within the High Renaissance and Baroque periods, were a direct response to the church reformations of the respective times. As the architectural forms evolved, the user’s experience has also changed. During the High Renaissance period, regular forms with straight and circular lines were used to achieve harmony and calmness with the buildings. It was a response to the Renaissance Humanism movement. The idealistic style of this period was reflected in Maderno’s facade and the dome. As St Peter’s evolved, Baroque qualities came more prominent. More complex forms involving curves and ovals were introduced into the architectural forms and sculptures. This movement was a response to the Counter-Reformation …show more content…
Peter’s Basilica had gone through many planning changes, architects and artists to reach the present state (Watkins 1986). The most influential people who designed and supervised the building were Bramante, Michelangelo and Maderno (Watkins 1986). In 1506, Bramante was entrusted by Julius to rebuild Old St. Peter’s (Watkins 1986). Bramante transformed the four corner chapels into Greek crosses, which created a square ambulatory around the dome (Baker 2015). The development of the space helped strengthen the user’s experience (Watkins 1986). After Bramante’s death, Michelangelo was commended to carry the vision of his precessors (n.d. 1902). Thus, the original scheme for the dome to rest on Bramante’s piers and crossing arches were left unchanged with the numerous architects (n.d. 1902). Later on, Maderno was commissioned to redesign the renowned facade that started with Michelangelo’s vision (Watkins 1986). Maderno’s facade consists of eight grand columns that become more prominent as an individual moves towards the central door (Watkins 1986). This creates a sense of movement (Watkins 1986). Although there is no strict division between the upper and lower storey that was typical of the era, the intricate ornamentations adorn the facade to provide the sense of division (Watkins 1986). So Maderno not only achieved and epitomised the symmetry and balance of Renaissance architecture, but he also bridge the gap towards Baroque architecture and its concept of illusion …show more content…
As the architectural forms evolved, the user’s experience has also changed. During the High Renaissance period, regular and static forms were prominent within buildings to achieve harmony and calmness. This was a reflection of the decree from the Renaissance Humanism movement. The idealistic style of this period was reflected in Maderno’s facade and the dome. The experience gained from seeing and entering Maderno’s building is a distinction from Bernini’s colonnade. Baroque architecture involves more complex forms of curves and ovals. Bernini’s curved colonnades reflected the Baroque qualities, and the concept of illusion. The experience gained from the structure is dynamic and movement provoking. Therefore, Maderno’s and Bernini’s designs reflect different styles and qualities due to the change of authority of the church, and the experiences gained from the structure are