Analyze the ways in which European monarchs used both the arts and the sciences to enhance state power in the period circa 1500–1800.
European monarchs were able to enhance their power with advances in science and the arts during the 16th and 17th centuries. New ideas were being thrown around by scientists while artists and architects broke down barriers of the art world that had not been touched before. The shocking new discoveries and ideas allowed the State to gain power. A scientist like Galileo with his ideas of a heliocentric universe was an example where Church teaching was disputed. Scientific discoveries and new art types disagreed with some Church teachings and in ways took away from the power of the Church, and added to the monarchs.
In the palaces of the monarchs, extravagant art could be found anywhere. Artists had begun to make beautiful paintings taking new artistic ventures. Pagan gods being painted in the nude could be seen in the palaces as they grew in popularity. Hugh murals and extravagant paintings hung from walls and ceilings to show the power and elegance on the monarchs. This in turn upset Church officials because it was not “right” to have nude paintings and pictures of pagan gods. The Church was losing a grip on its power it had worked for and the monarchs used the paintings and other works of art to add to the power loss of the church and add power to the state. There were people who liked this type of art work and if the monarchy showed they like it, common people would feel they had something in common with the monarchy and would in turn be more faithful.
The advances in sciences during this era also aided to the power of the state and the lack of credibility of the Church. The Church taught that the Earth was the center of the universe when actually the sun was the center with everything revolving around it. This is known as a heliocentric universe. Copernicus first came up with the idea but Galileo Galilei is popularly thought of when it comes to this idea. His idea and teaching was shot down by the Church because it went against their teaching when it is actually the way the universe is. While he did not make his discovery to add to the power if the state, it did have a ripple effect that gave the state more power. There was a certain amount of power to be shared between church and state. When the church lost power, the state gained it and vice versa. During this period the monarchs supported people who made radical discoveries and advances that had the chance to help increase the committed followers to the state. In Machiavelli’s book The Prince, he says that a government must have the support of the low classes to be strong. By supporting new ideas that the lower classes supported, the state was able to enhance its power.
Developments in architecture could be seen also that added to the effect that monarchs were all powerful. Take for example the living conditions the monarchs had. They had the largest homes by far in all of Europe, adding an aura of power to them. Top line clothing was worn and the best food was served. While the monarchs did indeed have power, they were able to make it seem as if they had more than they really had by using architecture and fashion. The people on the outside looking in see them and at first impression, see how much power they really have. Lower classes may not like it all the time but they have to respect it. The respect the monarchs earned is a key component to the power they gained from arts and sciences.
Without art and science being prominent in the 16th and 17th century, the monarchs would not have been able to gain the same amount of power they did. Material things had become dominant as they are today and the monarchies took advantage of the resources they had at hand. The Church lost power due to radical ideas during this period of Renaissance able to give the state all the power it needed and more. The state now was ahead of the church in power instead of the two being even as it had been before the Renaissance took place. Sciences and arts were the reason the state gained its power during the Renaissance instead of losing it all to the church and the people.
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