Reflection #3:
Today we went to St. Ignatius Church, as well as the Gesù Church. I would like to expand more on the Baroque architecture and art, and how it was different from other churches we have seen. The Gesù Church is similar to that of a basilica. There is a nave, transepts, and an apse; however, unlike at St. Peters or Santa Maria, the nave is entirely open. This architecture allows whoever is entering to immediately be drawn to the alter. One idea we have discussed in class is the importance of the Eucharist. Various Christians have argued this idea of transubstantiation, which is when the body and blood of Christ actually become the bread and wine. Some theologians believe that when taking the Eucharist, the bread and wine actually turn into the body and blood of Christ, while others argue it is simply a metaphor for Jesus becoming part of the community of Christians. Either way, the design of the church highlights the significance of the Eucharist. In the Baroque style churches, we also see that the alter is no longer at the intersection of the nave and the apse. Instead, it is pushed against the back of the apse. This same style was present in St. Ignatius Church as well as many other churches given that the Gesù Church was basically a model for Baroque architecture.
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| St. Ignatius Church |
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| Gesù Church |
The Baroque style art was very different from what we are used to seeing. On the ceiling of both these churches was art made to capture their audiences attention. In the Gesù Church, there is a scene with IHS (Jesus Holy Savior) in the middle. Around this are saints and holy people, but since there are so many people trying to follow Christ, the frame cannot contain them. Instead they spill over onto other parts of the ceiling. As your eye continues down the ceiling, you no longer see followers of Christ. Instead, there are those who have decided to not follow Jesus, and again they are spilling out of the frame. This is the first time we have really seen such a representation of the damned. It is something we have not yet talked about, but the interpretations are somewhat overwhelming due to their dark nature.
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| St. Ignatius Church |
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| Gesù Church |
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