As soon as you enter this dazzling exhibition there are a variety of words that come to mind. Opulence, exuberance, and not to mention “Magnificence” come to mind. The people of these times certainly were not in the economic crisis that we're in today, whilst “Credit Crunch” was certainly not a term they were accustomed to. The entire exhibition is dripping from head to toe in exquisite designs which feature on everything from silverware to the buildings themselves. Every item is made from the most expensive and precious materials and each is adorned with intricate and splendid designs. Think Sophia Coppola a la Marie Antoinette minus the sickly pink and with a lot less cake.
The Baroque period spans nearly the whole of two centuries and had a prominent effect on the arts all over Europe and beyond. It saw its beginnings in Rome where the Roman Catholic Church encouraged art forms to communicate a variety of religious themes in society. The aristocracy however used the style as a method in order to amaze any visitors that may be passing through their stately homes. The main order of the movement was to appeal to the senses and delight whoever views these complete works of art. However what is most fascinating about this artistic movement is its profound effect on all aspects of the arts. This is demonstrated from music and theatre to fashion and even the conceptual forms and designs of architecture from Palaces to more religious and secular spaces.
Although the movement had the primary function of assisting the Roman Catholic Church in conveying concepts and ideas to the general public through the use of exquisite designs. The style filtered through all aspects of society aiding the birth of opera through the likes of composer Henry Purcell as well as transforming theatrical spaces. Even costume design appropriated elements of the Baroque style as shown in the exhibition through a Man's theatre costume (1740-1760). The effect of the Baroque allows the exhibition to acknowledge the sheer spectacle provided in the 17th and 18th Centuries. This is a time when huge public displays were becoming fashionable whilst exhibiting your wealth was expected and certainly not frowned upon.
Highlights of the exhibition include a variety of pieces originally belonging to the Palace of Versailles in the time of Louis XIV. One of these pieces being a Cabinet from Versailles (1635-1705) which is decorated with a lavish gold design as well as a variety of paintings. Other items from the Palace include a number of portraits of Louis XIV suggesting his role as one of the iconic trend-setters of Baroque design. Naturally, there is more to see of Versailles than is presented in this exhibition. Therefore instead of transporting many more items to the exhibition, the visitor is taken on a journey to the palace itself via video footage that scours the palace and its gardens as well as the renowned Hall of Mirrors.
However, Paris was not the only country to succomb to the splendour of the Baroque style. The exhibition also aims to illustrate the global phenomenon of the Baroque period and its effect on the entire world. The curators at the V & A prove the effect of this global sensation with a house-sized Alterpiece of the “Virgin of Sorrows” (1690) which is from Mexico. In addition to this there are sketches of a now lost Opera House which was orginally constructed for an Emperor of China. The exhibition allows the beholder to witness sheer scale of this art movement across the globe which is quite astounding. Ultimately it brings together the opulence that was so readily embraced by all of high society around the world.
If you want to witness the origins of “bling” then you need to get down to “Baroque: Style in the Age of Magnificence” at the V & A. This is a luxurious exhibition to see with around 200 items to be discovered. The all encompassing nature of the exhibition with its vast abundance of artefacts and furniture allows the exhibition to entice all. If you're interested in design, theatre, music, religion or even if you just want to see an elaborate spectacle of magnificence, this is a copious exhibition for all to enjoy. You can also explore Baroque design even further by heading down to one of many of the National Trust Properties. These include Ham House, The Vyne or even Knole where you can explore the lavish luxury of the aristocracy even further. The exhibition itself continues until the 19th July so head down to the V & A and check it out.
(Student price: £6, Adults: £11).
Image Source: V & A
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