The Pros And Cons Of The Renaissance

When discussing the patron system of the expressive arts, there are a lot of both positive and negative components to keep in mind. During the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque musical eras, the majority of European composers were usually controlled and financed by the Church, both Catholic and Protestant, or the monarchy. The Church and the monarchy were active patrons due to the fact that they had the most power and wealth. With power comes influence, the Church’s religious beliefs were used to educate the musical development of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque musical eras. The religious influence and patronage in general reeks both pros and cons to the musician. One of the most positive aspects of the patronage system to musicians trying to make it, was the financial support and stability of the Church or patronage. Unless someone had noble status, which was very uncommon, the average person of this time was extremely poor and would most likely not have become a famous musician if it were not for the funds provided by the patronage.In addition to the financial support, the Church or patron the musician worked for would provide stable work, housing, and food. For example, “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart worked under Joseph II, son of Maria Theresa and brother to Marie Antoinette, …show more content…
The notorious Franz Joseph Haydn worked as music director for the Esterhazy family from years 1761 to 1790. That is nearly three decades of living on the Esterhazy estate with not much contact from the outside world (University of Kansas Faculty). The isolation Haydn experienced while serving his patron was not uncommon for musicians at this time. It is to be assumed that they occasionally felt trapped, displeased, and unsatisfied with their work because they did not have freedom of expression when