Kevin Mulcahy: The cultural policy of the Counter-Reformation: the case of St. Peter's

http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?sid=ea6b9faa-a8b0-421d-beb9-7b2d6baa6cdc%40sessionmgr4002&vid=0&hid=4209&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=59529690 

Abstract:

The Counter-Reformation, or Catholic Renewal, provides an important example of how the arts - especially architecture, painting, and sculpture - were mobilized to serve the religious mission of the embattled Catholic Church. Mobilization is an apt word to describe the concerted effort to put artistic expression in tandem with theological belief. As an emotional stimulus for piety, religious imagery in support of doctrinal orthodoxy was welcome. The Council of Trent decreed that through works of art the faithful could be instructed in the articles of faith. This aesthetic ideology required the creation of images that would strengthen their beliefs and guide their emotions. Art was to have a pedagogical purpose by representing sacred doctrine and the Church's aesthetic imprimatur was a necessary guarantee of doctrinal correctness. As such, counter-reformatory aesthetics were a complement to the more general aspirations of the Catholic Renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Cultural Policy is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)