Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

62  INTRODUCING IT AL Y

The Counter-Reformation

After the Sack of Rome in 1527, Italy was at the mercy
of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.
Pope Clement VII, who had opposed Charles, crowned
him emperor in Bologna. In response to the growing threat
from Protestantism, a series of reforms, known as the
Counter-Reformation and backed by the Inquisition,
imposed rigid orthodoxy. New religious orders, such as Italy in 1550
the Jesuits, were set up to take the battle for men’s souls Spanish possessions
far overseas. The missionary spirit of the age inspired States allied with Spain
the dramatic forms of the Baroque.
The Virgin Mary
Emperor intervenes on the side
Charles V and of the Christians.
Pope Clement VII
The two former
enemies settled
their differences
and the future
destiny of Italy
in the Treaty of
Barcelona (1529).
Baroque Stucco Decoration
This stucco relief by Giacomo Serpotta (c.1690) in the
Oratory of Santa Zita in Palermo is a magnificent example
of late Baroque exuberance. The subject is a favourite
of the period, the Battle of Lepanto, a great naval
triumph for the combined forces of Christendom
against the Turks (1571).

The centre of
the ingenious
creation is,
in effect, a
framed painting
in perspective.

Baroque Architecture The young boy
rests his hand on a
Guarino Guarini’s decoration of helmet, symbol of
the dome of the Chapel of the the victorious Christians.
Holy Shroud in Turin (see p225)
was completed in 1694.
1600 Philosopher
1542 Inquisition Andrea Palladio 1580 Death of
established in Rome architect Palladio Giordano Bruno burned
1545–63 Council of for heresy in Rome
1530–37 Alessandro de’ Trent sets out agenda 1589 Palestrina publishes
Medici ruler of Florence of Counter-Reformation setting of the Latin Hymnal
1525 1550 1575 1600
1540 Founding 1571 Victory over Turkish
of Jesuit Order 1541 Michelangelo completes 1564 Birth fleet at Battle of Lepanto
Last Judgment in Sistine Chapel of Galileo
1529 Charles V crowned Holy Roman 1560 San Carlo Borromeo Giovanni Pierluigi
Emperor in San Petronio, Bologna appointed Bishop of Milan da Palestrina

062-063_EW_Italy.indd 62 26/04/16 5:14 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 26th July 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm