A picturesque, exalted, architectural style which prevailed in ecclesiastical architecture for nearly two centuries, and which is associated mainly with Michelangelo, its creator, and with the architects Bernini and Borromini. It is an interpretation of joy, the characteristic of which is imagination, picturesqueness, immensity, and harmony between building and environment, with a suggestion of movement, symbolism, and color. It employs curves, towers, and characteristic cupolas, often accompanied by two subordinate towers. Copper caps, sometimes turnip-shaped, are also used, together with stairways symbolic of penitential progress, just as the interiors are flooded, symbolically, with light. Barocco has been often misrepresented by fanciers of other architectural styles.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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