The logo for Lesson 9 is Sor Juana

From the perspective of the Church and the State, the main value of the Baroque was to impress on the population the overwhelming strength and wealth of both institutions. Because the two were closely linked through the theory of the divine right of kings, whatever strengthened one also helped the other. Thus, the awesome and luxurious decorations in the massive churches delivered the powerful message that religion provided the meaning for one's life here on earth, and that the Church supported (and was supported by) God's representatives, namely the authorities of the Church and the Crown. The only path to eternal salvation lay through the Church, and this institutional connection implied obedience to the civil authorities.