João Antunes
Encyclopedia
João Antunes was a Portuguese
architect, considered one of the most important Baroque architects
of Portugal
.
As royal architect, Antunes' main work is the Church of Santa Engrácia
(started 1682) in Lisbon
, a Greek cross building with curved façades typical of the Baroque architecture of Borromini. Antunes was also responsible for the projects for the Church of Saint Elói (built after 1694, destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake
) and the Church of Menino Deus (1711–1737), both in Lisbon. These churches had the shape of a rectangle with angled edges, thus assuming the shape of an irregular octagon. This floorplan scheme, possibly derived from designs by Guarino Guarini, would greatly influence other churches in Portugal and colonial Brazil
. All of these churches were decorated with marble panels of Italian
influence, anticipating the dominant role that Roman art would have in the Portuguese court during the 18th century.
Antunes was also responsible for the Church of Bom Jesus of Barcelos
, started in 1704. The innovative floorplan of this church consists of a Greek cross church (an influence of Santa Engrácia) inserted into a hexagon with four sides of round shape. Another work by Antunes in northern Portugal was the renovation of the sacristy of Braga Cathedral
.
João Antunes also designed several Baroque altarpieces for the private chapels of the nobility and churches like the Santo Antão Church in Lisbon and the Chapel of Saint Vincent in Lisbon Cathedral
(the latter was lost in the 1755 earthquake). Another notable work is the tomb of Princess Joana in the Convent of Jesus in Aveiro. All of these works were made of polychromed marble of Italian influence.
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
architect, considered one of the most important Baroque architects
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
of Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
As royal architect, Antunes' main work is the Church of Santa Engrácia
Church of Santa Engrácia
The Church of Santa Engrácia is a 17th century monument of the city of Lisbon, in Portugal. In the 20th century the church has been converted into the National Pantheon , in which important Portuguese personalities are buried...
(started 1682) in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, a Greek cross building with curved façades typical of the Baroque architecture of Borromini. Antunes was also responsible for the projects for the Church of Saint Elói (built after 1694, destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake
1755 Lisbon earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and...
) and the Church of Menino Deus (1711–1737), both in Lisbon. These churches had the shape of a rectangle with angled edges, thus assuming the shape of an irregular octagon. This floorplan scheme, possibly derived from designs by Guarino Guarini, would greatly influence other churches in Portugal and colonial Brazil
Colonial Brazil
In the history of Brazil, Colonial Brazil, officially the Viceroyalty of Brazil comprises the period from 1500, with the arrival of the Portuguese, until 1815, when Brazil was elevated to kingdom alongside Portugal as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.During the over 300 years...
. All of these churches were decorated with marble panels of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
influence, anticipating the dominant role that Roman art would have in the Portuguese court during the 18th century.
Antunes was also responsible for the Church of Bom Jesus of Barcelos
Barcelos, Portugal
Barcelos is a city in Barcelos Municipality in Braga District. The city has a population of 20,625.-History:Originally a Roman settlement, it expanded and became the seat of the First Duke of Bragança in the 15th century...
, started in 1704. The innovative floorplan of this church consists of a Greek cross church (an influence of Santa Engrácia) inserted into a hexagon with four sides of round shape. Another work by Antunes in northern Portugal was the renovation of the sacristy of Braga Cathedral
Braga Cathedral
The Cathedral of Braga is one of the most important monuments in the city of Braga, in Northern Portugal. Due to its long history and artistic significance it is also one of the most important buildings in the country.-History:...
.
João Antunes also designed several Baroque altarpieces for the private chapels of the nobility and churches like the Santo Antão Church in Lisbon and the Chapel of Saint Vincent in Lisbon Cathedral
Lisbon Cathedral
The Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Lisbon, Portugal. The oldest church in the city is the see of the Archdiocese of Lisbon. Since the beginning of the construction of the cathedral, in the year 1147, the building has been modified several...
(the latter was lost in the 1755 earthquake). Another notable work is the tomb of Princess Joana in the Convent of Jesus in Aveiro. All of these works were made of polychromed marble of Italian influence.