What is this Jargon in Austria!?!?! Baroque Architecture

It’s been awhile since I consistently posted about my preservation and history adventures, hopefully I can keep my posting on target for the next few months!

So you’re probably wondering what exactly I’m planning for the next few months. For starters I want to share all the awesome things I saw on my recent vacation to Austria. A few weeks ago, I spent almost two weeks adventuring with my boyfriend, Jake, in Austria. We traveled to Vienna, Hallstatt, Salzburg, and then ended the trip in Vienna.

Jake and I in front of a MYSTERY Baroque Building. Can you guess which building it is? Answer might be down below…..

Since coming back home, I’ve been planning posts about the things we saw while on vacation- it was a lot of stuff. I wasn’t really sure where to start and I’ve researched a lot of very different things in all three locations. I figured I would start with a, “What is this Jargon!?!?” post and showcase some of the really ornate Baroque architecture that we saw in Vienna.

Baroque architecture has been described with a lot of unique adjectives: extravagant, deformed, absurd, irregular. All of these adjectives come about because of type of characteristics seen in Baroque art and architecture, which includes:

Strong curves that give a sense of movement- this can be considered either “actual”     and “implied.” So that means a curving wall vs. a statue in the pose that represents motion.

 Attempts to represent or suggest infinity. This is easy to see in Baroque paintings where the sky just seems to keep going.

Dramatic use of light and how light effects how the art and architecture is seen.

Use of bright colors and ornaments (sometimes gilded), which give an overall feeling of the theatrical and grandiose.

Richly sculpted surfaces- both interior and exterior.

The Baroque style was popular in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. It started in Italy at the beginning of the 17^th century (the early 1600’s). It spread throughout Europe and it arrived late in Austria. The main reasons included that during the 17^th century, Austria was involved in the Thirty Year’s War (1618-1648); it is considered the deadliest European religious war fought between Protestant and Catholic believers. The other ongoing war that Austria was involved in was with the Ottoman Empire starting in 1529 when the Ottoman Empire tried to lay siege to Vienna; another siege was laid on Vienna in 1683. So during that time, a lot of resources were being used to fortify the city and country to protect from the wars that were Austria was involved in. Obviously, that means not a lot of elaborate construction was happening in Austria; a lot had also been either destroyed or looted by the Ottoman Army.

Some of the most famous Austrian Baroque buildings that were constructed under the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, who was the father to Empress Maria Theresa (who was mother to Marie Antoinette, the French Queen who was beheaded during the French Revolution), all were part of the Habsburg dynasty. Some of the local Austrian architects employed by the Habsburg family included Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, his son, Joseph Emanuel, and Johanne Lukas von Hildebrandt. All three men designed buildings that Jake and I saw in Vienna. The last note about Baroque Architecture that I want to make, is that this style at times was considered propaganda for both the idea of the absolute monarch and the Church. The buildings were beyond elaborate to emphasis the importance and superiority of both the Church and ruling family.ⁱ

The following are photos of some of the Baroque buildings we saw in Vienna. If you click on any of the images, it will bring you to a “slide show” type screen. On each “slide” there is the ability to click a link to see a larger version of the image, where you can “zoom” in and see more of the details of the different buildings.

This is the Karlskirche, which was constructed from 1716 – 1739. It was the last work of architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. His son, Joseph Emanuel finished it.

Close up of one of the columns, which were inspired by the Trajan Column in Rome. As you can see the exterior is very sculpted looking and some of the surfaces are curved.

This the National Library of Austria, which has a very long history. It was constructed from 1723 – 1726 and designed by Joseph Emanual Fischer von Erlach. The library has an extensive collection and a number of museums within its walls. Looking at it, one can see that is is elaborate and has the sculpted quality to it.

This is a water fountain that goes by a few names- Donnerbrunnen or Providentia. The water fountain has a very interesting history. The original was built of lead by the sculptor, Raphael Donner in a competition, which he won. Emperor Charles VI awarded Donner money and an award for the fountain. It was removed in 1770 by Empress Marie Theresa, who didn’t like it’s nakedness. It was suppose to be melted down but another sculptor realized its importance and restored it in 1801. It was replaced with a bronze copy in 1871, which is seen here. The original copy is located in the Lower Belvedere Museum. The fountain shows both actual and applied movement- the water is actually moving and the sculpted figures give a sense of movement.

Speaking of the Lower Belvedere, this is the entrance into the museum at the Lower Belvdere.

This is the actual Lower Belvedere building. This building was part of the estate of Prince Eugene of Savoy, an extremely important general during the wars against the Ottoman Empire. The palaces were designed in part by Johanne Lukas von Hildebrandt.

A close-up of the exterior of the Upper Belvedere.

This is a ceiling mural in the Marble Room of the Upper Belvedere. The artist was Carlo Carlone and he worked on this from 1721 – 1723. Remember that description on how Baroque art and architecture can give that sense of infinity, that’s seen here since the sky seems to not really end; an idea that it goes beyond the borders. Also bright colors, so many colors! Also, it may look like your looking at walls below the ceiling that are carved. They are not. It’s all painting that gives off the look of depth and that sculpted, opulent look.

Another view of the Marble Room where you can see more of the grandiose of the space. The entire Belvedere Estate was purchased after Prince Eugene’s death by Empress Maria Theresa.

A view of the Upper Belvedere from the gardens between the Upper and Lower Buildings. You’re probably wondering, is that woman feeding the birds? She is, they were following here around because she had a loaf of bread.

This is Stiftskirche, which is located on Mariahilferstrasse. The church was probably designed by Joseph Emanuel for Empress Maria Theresa around 1739. The details are not clear. During the late 18th century it was used as a military depot. As seen in all of the other photos, this building too has the scultped exterior. The cool thing about this image, I took it near sunset, so we get to see how the light effects the exterior.

The following are the sources that I used in researching Baroque Architecture in Vienna and various links to the different buildings showcased. The links to the individual buildings, such as the National Library or the Belvedere, may need to be translated. Google Chrome, always seems to ask me if I want to translate, hopefully your browser allows the same type of thing. 

If you have any questions or comments, just share them in the comments below….

Sources:

Baroque Architecture in Vienna and Europe:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/vienna/in-depth/architecture

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/baroque-architecture.htm

http://www.tourmycountry.com/austria/austrianbaroque.htm

http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/architecture/baroque/

Specific Buildings and Sites:

http://www.karlskirche.at/

https://www.belvedere.at/palaces

http://www.onb.ac.at/ueber-uns/geschichte/

http://www.viennatouristguide.at/Altstadt/Brunnen/donnerbrunnen.htm

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftskirche_(Wien)

i     So the information about Baroque architecture and the style’s history in Vienna came from a combination of websites, which are all listed in the “Sources: Baroque Architecture in Vienna and Europe.” All of the sources were accessed most recently on November 11, 2016. Sorry for the not exact Chicago Style Manual citation but hopefully the information is clear and easy for you to check out and further explore Baroque Art and Architecture!

**** Answer to the MYSTERY Baroque Building****

             It’s the National Library of Austria!!!!!

Advertisement