Political situations had much influence on art during this time period. The absolute monarchies of France and Spain prompted the creation of works that …show more content…
As early as the 1540s, the Catholic Church had begun a program of reform and renewal designed to mitigate the appeal or protestantism that came to be known as the Counter-Reformation. The building an decoration programs that developed in response to this religious program gradually evolved into the style known as Baroques (Sayre 679). The Catholic Church Baroque murals and paintings are often found in churches and cathedrals throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, mostly because the Roman Catholic Church of the 17th century knew that this style of art could be used to promote the church and give an impression of power and authority. To them art was to be strictly religious, and it was created for the purpose of glorifying God and Catholic traditions. Painting transformed into a neo-realist and incredibly emotional style. Many paintings were commissioned to adorn the interior of churches throughout the city. The church had much say in what was allowed and not allowed to be painted as well as how. The Roman Catholic church was a highly influential patron, and its Counter Reformation employed emotional, realistic, and dramatic art as a way of propagating the faith. In just about every Protestant country, including England and Germany, art was thought to be an unnecessary luxury and was. But in Holland which was a Protestant country, a completely new style of art was created. It was based off the routines of everyday life for everyday people. Yet still following the Calvinist doctrine of banning images that depicted religious subjects. In Catholic countries such as Spain, France, and Italy, it was much different. Sculptors and painters proceeded the long-standing practice of using biblical stories as the primary subject matter for art. Although religious paintings continued to exist, this period also introduced the beginning of non-religious