Final answer:
Italian Baroque architecture in Rome after 1600 is known for its dynamic shapes, dramatic intensity, and emotional expressiveness, designed to glorify the Catholic Church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Italian Baroque architecture developed in Rome after 1600 is marked by several key characteristics. Unlike the balanced and harmonious forms of the Renaissance, Baroque architecture is characterized by dynamic shapes, strong curves, rich decoration, and a deep sense of movement. Dramatic intensity and emotional expressiveness were important visual elements, as architects sought to invoke awe and wonder, often with the purpose of glorifying the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation.
Several factors distinguish Baroque from Renaissance buildings. Baroque buildings often have irregular shapes, vibrant light and shadow contrasts, and a sense of movement, extending into the urban setting as part of a larger visual theater. In contrast, Renaissance architecture favored symmetry, proportion, and a clear rational order based on the classical language of Greece and Rome.
The Counter-Reformation influenced Baroque architects to create spaces that were emotionally appealing and could communicate religious messages powerfully. The emerging ideas in science, such as the explorations of naturalism and new scientific thought, also played a role in the development of Baroque architecture. This is evident in the architects' use of light, shadow, and space to create dynamic, intense, and expressive structures that mirrored the complexities and discoveries of the period.