C2: Power and persuasion - the Baroque in Catholic Europe (1597-1685) - A level History of Art

Oct 20, 2026

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Topic Guide for Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History of Art (9HT0) outlines how students investigate and assess how religious and political developments and controversies shaped 17th-century art and architecture in Catholic Europe. It defines the scope of at least 18 specified works across nine categories, explains key historical and art-historical concepts, and details factors such as Catholic responses to Protestantism, political change, and technological developments. It also addresses teaching organisation, assessment approach, resources, and first-hand museum learning, alongside guidance for selecting works and critical texts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Scope of works

Key topics

Art historical terms and concepts

Cultural, social, technological and political factors

Developments in materials, techniques and processes

Ways in which art has been used and interpreted by past and present societies

Topic Guide C2: Power and persuasion: the Baroque in Catholic Europe (1597–1685) A level History of Art Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History of Art (9HT0) GCE History of Art 2022 – Topic Guide C2: Power and persuasion: the Baroque in Catholic Europe (1597–1685) (This guide has been updated for September 2022. The specification remains the definitive source of information for this qualification.) Contents Introduction 2 Scope of works 2 Key topics 2 Specified artists 5 Selecting your key works 5 Critical texts 6 Organising your teaching 6 Assessment 8 Resources 12 First-hand learning and museum education 13 Sample key works 15 Blank grid for you to complete 16 A longer list of possible works 17 Introduction | In this Period, students will investigate and assess the impact of religious and political developments and controversies on art and architecture in the
17th century. The focus on Catholic Europe creates some natural boundaries for this in-depth study, allowing students to read widely and understand the relevance of context. Within this, however, teachers and students are free to explore the works of more than two countries by using works from, say, Spain in religious sculpture and France in secular architecture in comparison to those produced in Italy. It is hoped that this will allow teachers and students to make the most of their specific areas of interest and expertise and/or to encourage first-hand opportunities to see key works either in the UK or, where feasible, on school trips to other European cities.
Scope of works | | --- | | The specification makes clear the requirement for the detailed study of at least
18 works of art and architecture across nine categories of work in Italy and in one additional Catholic European country in each case.
In this Period, works are categorised by the place of birth and nationality of their artist or architect, rather than by the place where the commission or work was executed. This avoids confusion for artists like Rubens, Claude, Poussin and Bernini, all of whom travelled in the course of their careers. Thus Rubens, Claude and Poussin are always examples of ‘artist(s) from another Catholic European country’, even if they are working in Italy. Equally, Bernini is always considered Italian, even when working in Paris for Louis XIV.
Key topics | These Key topics are clearly explained in the specification and elaborate on what should be taught around each work and are set out in a tabular format. They are added here for reference. All examination questions will refer to the Scope of works and Key topics explained on pages 20–22 in the specification. | Subjects, forms and styles
Works to be studied | | | --- | --- | | Scope of works | (a) Religious painting by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (b) Religious sculpture by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (c) Mythological painting by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (d) Mythological sculpture by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (e) Portrait painting or sculpture by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (f) Landscape scenes by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (g) Still life or genre scenes by an Italian artist and by an artist from another Catholic European country. | | | (h) Religious architecture by an Italian architect and by an architect from another Catholic European country. | | | (i) Secular architecture by an Italian architect and by an architect from another Catholic European country. | | Key topics What students need to learn | | | 1 Art historical terms and concepts | (a) Relevant terminology for 2D, 3D and architecture. | | | (b) Formal elements and their ef

FAQs

What period and geographic focus does the topic guide cover for C2?

It focuses on the Baroque in Catholic Europe from 1597 to 1685, using Catholic Europe as the natural boundary for the in-depth study.

How does the guide define the scope of works students must study?

Students must study at least 18 works of art and architecture across nine categories, spanning Italy and one additional Catholic European country per case.

How are works categorized, and why does that matter for artists who worked abroad?

Works are categorized by the artist’s place of birth and nationality rather than where the commission or work was executed, avoiding confusion when artists such as Rubens, Claude, Poussin, and Bernini worked across countries.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo