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Period: to
1650-1700
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Amusement Palace
Set between two towers, the Amusement Palace was originally the home of Alexis of Russia's father-in-law. Located within the Moscow Kremlin, the palace received its current name when it was used as a stage house in the following century. -
Ectasy of St. Teresa
Ectasy of St. Teresa is a commissioned marble sculpture in Rome's Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria. The sculptor, Gian L. Bernini was also a known architect, and his work blends architecture with sculpture through his use of materials in relationship to the architecture of the church. The sculpture itself depicts a nun near an angel with a spear, which resembles a dream from her autobiography. -
Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph
While this oil painting is one of Rembrandt's later portraits, it still carries a secular theme. Here, Rembrandt visualizes Genesis 48 where Jacob puts the younger child Ephraim before the birthright Manasseh in a blessing. According to the scripture, Ephraim's seed will bring a larger multitude than Manasseh's. -
Virgin of the Immaculate Conception
This wooden statue was created by Alonzo Cano in 1656. While Cano was better known during the 17th century for his sculptures from the Sevilla period, none of those have survived. Today, his polychrome wooden sculptures are known for their simplicity. As an artist in Granada, Spain, Cano studied under Juan Martinez Montanes and Francisco Pacheco. -
Rokudan no Shirabe
LISTEN. Written ca. 1660-70, Rokudan no Shirabe is a "six step" piece, where each step includes 52 beats. This Japanese song is written for the koto, a wooden string instrument pictured above. The composer, Yatsuhashi Kengyo was given his title of "Kengyo" due to his blindness. Learn more about the koto here. -
Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid)
Finished in 1660, this mosque is located in Delhi, India. The mosque, which was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, took just two years to complete. During its first years, the emperor claimed the mosque for personal use before it became a community mosque. Orignally, the domes were gilded with copper, but 19th century conlficts likely led to the loss of the material. -
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza
The Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza (Rome, Italy) is a university church that symbolizes wisdom. Formerly, the collegiate church served as the student chapel for the University of Rome. However, after the university moved in 1935, the church remains a tourist attraction to celebrate Francesco's Borromini's architecture. As an architect, Borromini is known for his unique and innovative designs, like his corkscrew spire from this church. Click here for a panaromic video of the church. -
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer created this piece in 1664. As an artist, For Vermeer, this piece was different because it features only a single subject. The piece is often argued over as to whether or not it is a portrait. -
Wooded Mountains at Dusk
This Chinese scroll by Kuncan represents self-cultivation. As a Buddhist, Kuncan devoted his life to painting. This piece shows the Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province, China. To complement the mountain, Kuncan includes a poem, which tells his journey of self-cultivation. Read the translation here. -
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost by John Milton is an epic poem that uses free verse. The poem itself is known "as one of the greatest poems written in English." Similarly, John MIlton's use of conventions and style made him one of the best-known English authors after Shakespeare. Just four years later in 1671, Milton's Paradise Regained was also published. -
Dragon Rug
While this rug does not have an exact date, it is recognized to be late 17th century artwork. The makers of the rug used the Caucasus tradition, which uses geometric patterns. This geomteric pattern differs from the other common floral woven items of its time. The Caucasus region is modern-day Georgia and Azerbaijan. -
Sonata Natalis
LISTEN
Pavel Josef Vejvanovský was a Czech trumpeter and composer who is known for his compositions for the court ensemble in Kromeriz. Vejvanovsky composed this trumpet and strings octet in 1674 to celebrate Christmas. -
Canon in D
LISTEN
Johann Pachelbel wrote Canon in D in Germany sometime between 1680 and 1690; however, the piece was widely unknown at the time. It wasn't until the early twentieth century when the song became popular for weddings and concerts. As a composer, Pachelbel was known for his organ mastery. -
To His Coy Mistress
READ.
Andrew Marvell wrote his poem "To His Coy Mistress" in 1652, but it was not published until 1681 when his housekeeper happened upon it. The poem features 23 couplets, and its content matches the metaphysical themes of the late 17th century. Likewise, Marvell is still known for his metaphysical topics of love and religion alongside other metaphysical poets like John Donne (the author of the "Holy Sonnets") and Abraham Cowley. -
Palace of Versailles
Now a World Hertiage Site, Chateau de Versailles was originally the hunting home for Louis XIV. Three architechts, Louis Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and Philibert Le Roy, then gave the hunting home a makeover, and it became the present 700-room palace in 1682. Overall, this French building uses domes, twisted columns, and shapes to match the Baroque style. -
Kero with a Face
This Peruvian Kero cup is from the late 17th century. Created from natural materials, this wooden piece features a painted face, which represents "the forest-dwelling Anti." The cups were typically used for drinks at ritual ceremonies. -
Monastery of Horezu
The Monastery of Horezu (Romania) set a precedence for soon-to-come 18th century Brancovan styles. Named after Prince Constanin Brancovan, who founded The Monastery of Horezu, this style combines Byzantine and Italian Renaissance Styles. -
Armorial Plate
While the first ceramics began in Asia more than 10,000 years ago, the late 17th century still continued their love for the skill. Known for their decorative coats of arms, armorial plates have long-outlasted the 17th century. This Japanese porcelain plate features underglazed blue and gold details. -
The Poet's Answer to the Most Illustrious
Written by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz in 1690 (Mexico), Answer provides a plea of self-defense. As a woman, Sor Juana speaks for herself and others by expalining her knowledge, wit, and other qualities through her intellect. Sor Juana went on to write several other sonnets and poems that also counter gender roles and equality. -
Prayer Book: Arganona Weddase (The Harp of Praise)
The first known prayer book dates back to the mid 16th-century England.This prayer book from the scribe Baselyos, includes several illustrations to accompany the weekly prayers within the text. This prayer book comes from Ethiopia, and it uses the four illuminations to supplement the Marian prayers.
