Baroque
One of the most remarkable periods in Croatian art history is the Baroque, which lasted from the 17th to the late 18th century. During this time, Croatia was reunited with the parts of its territory that were occupied by the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire, after centuries of fragmentation and division. This reunification not only brought political stability and economic prosperity but also stimulated a cultural revival and a flourishing of art in every segment.
The Baroque style was influenced by various sources, such as the Italian Renaissance, French Classicism, Spanish Plateresque, and German Rococo. It was characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, rich colors, elaborate details, dynamic compositions, and emotional expressions. The Baroque artists in Croatia created works that reflected their religious faith, their civic pride, their personal vision, and their social context.
One of the main features of Baroque art in Croatia was its urban planning. Many new towns were built or expanded during this period, especially in northern Croatia and Slavonia. These towns had large straight streets, rectangular squares in the middle surrounded by buildings such as government and military ones as well as representative church buildings. Some examples are Karlovac, Bjelovar, Koprivnica, Virovitica, etc.
Another characteristic of Baroque art in Croatia was its fortification. Due to constant Ottoman threat, large fortifications with radial plans, ditches, and numerous towers were built along the borders and coastlines. These fortifications served not only as defensive structures but also as symbols of power and prestige. The two largest ones were Tvrđa in Osijek and Fortress of Brod in Slavonski Brod. Later they became large cities themselves. They were fortified with water and earth – earth mounds with cannons² and canals filled with water that was supposed to slow down the approaching enemies. The fort of Slavonski Brod was the largest in all of Croatia, and one of the largest in all of Europe because it was one of the largest fortresses facing the Ottoman Empire.
The churches were another important element of Baroque architecture in Croatia. They were designed to impress both believers and visitors with their size, form, decoration, architecture, sculpture, painting, etc. The churches often had an enclosing wall with inner porches lavishly decorated, like in the Franciscan monastery in Slavonski Brod where the columns are as thick as baroque abundance. The most beautiful one is probably the church in Sela near Sisak. It has an oval shape with an elliptic dome and a concave and convex front with two towers.
Baroque, wall painting flourished in all parts of Croatia, from illusionist frescoes in the church of Holy Mary in Samobor, St Catherine in Zagreb to the Jesuit church in Dubrovnik. The best-preserved examples are the Rococo frescoes in Miljana mansion near Kumrovec where allegorical seasons and natural elements were depicted through human nature and its reflection on art.
The Baroque period also witnessed a remarkable reconstruction of Dubrovnik, in that period in the Republic of Ragusa, after a catastrophic earthquake in 1667 when almost the entire city was destroyed. In the Baroque style were rebuilt the church of St Vlaho on the main square (1715), Dubrovnik Cathedral, and the former Jesuit College with the church of St Ignatius. Paolo Passalaqua united several of those baroque masterpieces with his Jesuit Stairway. This beautiful wide stone stairway with a series of convexities and concavities and a strong balustrade (reminiscent of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome) connects two separate Baroque parts of the city – the Jesuit church above and Ivan Gundulić Square below.
Baroque art in Croatia reflects not only its artistic achievements but also its cultural identity, its historical legacy, and its geographical diversity.
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