Baroque art in Europe, an introduction
Gian Lorenzo Bernini; View to Cathedra Petri (Chair of St. Peter), gilded bronze, gold, wood, stained glass; 1647-53 (apse of Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome). Image credit: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Rome: from the whore of Babylon to the resplendent bride of Christ
When Martin Luther tacked his 95 theses to the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral in 1517 protesting the Catholic Church’s corruption, he initiated a movement that would transform the religious, political, and artistic landscape of Europe. For the next century, Europe would be in turmoil as new political and religious boundaries were determined, often through bloody military conflicts. Only in 1648, with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia, did the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics subside in continental Europe.
Martin Luther focused his critique on what he saw as the Church’s greed and abuse of power. He called Rome, the seat of papal power, “the whore of Babylon” decked out in finery of expensive art, grand architecture, and sumptuous banquets. The Church responded to the crisis in two ways: by internally addressing issues of corruption and by defending the doctrines rejected by the Protestants. Thus, while the first two decades of the 16th century were a period of lavish spending for the Papacy, the middle decades were a period of austerity. As one visitor to Rome noted in the 1560s, the entire city had become a convent. Piety and asceticism ruled the day.
View of the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome with Annibale Carracci's altarpiece, The Assumption of the Virgin, 1600-01, oil on canvas, 96 × 61 inches, with paintings by Caravaggio on the side walls:The Crucifixion of St. Peter on the left and The Conversion of Paul on the right
By the end of the 16th century, the Catholic Church was once again feeling optimistic, even triumphant. It had emerged from the crisis with renewed vigor and clarity of purpose. Shepherding the faithful—instructing them on Catholic doctrines and inspiring virtuous behavior—took center stage. Keen to rebuild Rome’s reputation as a holy city, the Papacy embarked on extensive building and decoration campaigns aimed at highlighting its ancient origins, its beliefs, and its divinely-sanctioned authority. In the eyes of faithful Catholics, Rome was not an unfaithful whore, but a pure bride, beautifully adorned for her union with her divine spouse.
The art of persuasion: instruct, delight, move
While the Protestants harshly criticized the cult of images, the Catholic Church ardently embraced the religious power of art. The visual arts, the Church argued, played a key role in guiding the faithful. They were certainly as important as the written and spoken word, and perhaps even more important since they were accessible to the learned and the unlearned alike. In order to be effective in its pastoral role, religious art had to be clear, persuasive, and powerful. Not only did it have to instruct, it had to inspire. It had to move the faithful to feel the reality of Christ’s sacrifice, the suffering of the martyrs, the visions of the saints.
Caravaggio, The Crowning with Thorns, 1602-04, oil on canvas, 165.5 x 127 cm (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna)
The Church’s emphasis on art’s pastoral role prompted artists to experiment with new and more direct means of engaging the viewer. Artists like Caravaggio turned to a powerful and dramatic realism, accentuated by bold contrasts of light and dark, and tightly-cropped compositions that enhanced the physical and emotional immediacy of the depicted narrative.
Other artists, like Annibale Carracci—who also experimented with realism—ultimately settled on a more classical visual language, inspired by the vibrant palette, idealized forms, and balanced compositions of the High Renaissance, see image above. Still others, like Giovanni Battista Gaulli, turned to daring feats of illusionism that blurred not only the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and architecture, but also those between the real and depicted worlds. In so doing, the divine was made physically present and palpable. Whether through shocking realism, dynamic movement, or exuberant ornamentation, 17th-century art was meant to impress. It aimed to convince the viewer of the truth of its message by impacting the senses, awakening the emotions, and activating—even sharing—the viewer’s space.
Giovanni Battista Gaulli, also known as il Baciccio,The Triumph of the Name of Jesus, Il, Gesù ceiling fresco, 1672-1685
The Catholic monarchs and their territories
The monarchs of Spain, Portugal, and France also embraced the more ornate elements of 17th-century art to celebrate Catholicism. In Spain and its colonies, rulers invested vast resources on elaborate church facades, stunning, gold-covered chapels and tabernacles, and strikingly-realistic polychrome sculpture. In the Spanish Netherlands, where sacred art had suffered terribly as a result of the Protestant iconoclasm—the destruction of art—civic and religious leaders prioritized the adornment of churches as the region reclaimed its Catholic identity. Refurnishing the altars of Antwerp’s churches kept Peter Paul Rubens’ workshop busy for many years. Europe’s monarchs also adopted this artistic vocabulary to proclaim their own power and status. Louis XIV, for example, commissioned the splendid buildings and gardens of Versailles as a visual expression of his divine right to rule.
Peter Paul Rubens, Elevation of the Cross, 1610, oil on wood, 15 ft 1-7/8 in x 11 ft 1-1/2 in (originally for Saint Walpurgis, Antwerp [destroyed], now in Antwerp Cathedral)
The Protestant north
Map of Northern Europe, c. 1700
In the Protestant countries, and especially in the newly-independent Dutch Republic, modern-day Holland, the artistic climate changed radically in the aftermath of the Reformation. Two of the wealthiest sources of patronage—the monarchy and the Church—were now gone. In their stead arose an increasingly prosperous middle class eager to express its status and its new sense of national pride through the purchase of art.
By the middle of the 17th century, a new market had emerged to meet the artistic tastes of this class. The demand was now for smaller-scale paintings suitable for display in private homes. These paintings included religious subjects for private contemplation, as seen in Rembrandt’s poignant paintings and prints of biblical narratives, as well as portraits documenting individual likenesses.
Judith Leyster, Self-Portrait, c. 1630, oil on canvas, 651 x 746 cm (National Gallery of Art, Washington) But, the greatest change in the market was the dramatic increase in the popularity of landscapes, still-lifes, and scenes of everyday life—known as genre painting. Indeed, the proliferation of these subjects as independent artistic genres was one of the 17th century’s most significant contributions to the history of Western art.
In all of these genres, artists revealed a keen interest in replicating observed reality—whether it be the light on the Dutch landscape, the momentary expression on a face, or the varied textures and materials of the objects the Dutch collected as they reaped the benefits of their expanding mercantile empire. These works demonstrated as much artistic virtuosity and physical immediacy as the grand decorations of the palaces and churches of Catholic Europe.
In the context of European history, the period from c. 1585 to c. 1700/1730 is often called the Baroque era. The word baroque derives from the Portuguese and Spanish words for a large, irregularly-shaped pearl—barroco and barrueco, respectively. Eighteenth-century critics were the first to apply the term to the art of the 17th century. It was not a term of praise. To the eyes of these critics, who favored the restraint and order of Neoclassicism, the works of Bernini, Borromini, and Pietro da Cortona appeared bizarre, absurd, even diseased—in other words, misshapen, like an imperfect pearl.
Francisco de Zurbarán, Saint Francis of Assisi According to Pope Nicholas V's Vision, c. 1640, oil on canvas, 110.5 x 180.5 cm (Museum Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona) Baroque—the word, the style, the period
Baroque—the word, the style, the period
By the middle of the 19th century, the word baroque had lost its pejorative implications and was used to describe the ornate and complex qualities present in many examples of 17th-century art, music, and literature. Eventually, the term came to designate the historical period as a whole.
In the context of painting, for example, the stark realism of Zurbaran’s altarpieces, the quiet intimacy of Vermeer’s domestic interiors, and the restrained classicism of Poussin’s landscapes are all Baroque—now with a capital B to indicate the historical period—regardless of the absence of the stylistic traits originally associated with the term.
Scholars continue to debate the validity of this label, admitting the usefulness of having a label for this distinct historical period, while also acknowledging its limitations in characterizing the variety of artistic styles present in the 17th century.
Essay by Dr. Esperança Camara
Additional resources
Baroque Rome
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BAROQUE ERA AND ART
Image of the Versailles:
Often confused due to its overlap with the renaissance period, baroque is an artistic current that have left a huge mark on art, as we know it today. Baroque has very extravagant influences, easily recognized because of the fine elements and details that focus on emotions rather than logic and geometry.
Everything about baroque is passionate and interpretable, as most of the paintings and sculptures we see today are points of reference for art critics that discuss the evolution of art. While baroque is an era long dormant, and one with a brief reign at that, the pieces that survived to this day are flawless representations of one of the most beloved art currents of all times.
Baroque Art & Architecture Characteristics
Everything about the Baroque current was a tad dramatic, but astonishing nevertheless. Art history identified Baroque as being born somewhere around the 17th century, registering a continuous evolution until the 18th century. This artistic current first started in Rome, but quickly spread across Europe within the next decades.
As a general term, baroque is used to describe something with intricate details and very elaborate scenes. Judging by the details of every baroque art form, it became clear that the main purpose was to appeal to the human emotions, through drama and exaggeration.
One of the terms most commonly associated with the baroque era is “chiaroscuro”. This is a technique that combines light and dark scenery to create the dramatic scenes, some of which are poorly lit. By intertwining light and dark, painters were able to capture the best of every scene, to recreate a sense of despair.
Baroque also left an imprint on architecture. Every building that was created under these influences has very elaborate details, with elements of grandeur, making the visitor feel overwhelmed with the amount of elements that need to be carefully analyze to really understand the influences of this current.
It is not uncommon for people to confuse baroque with renaissance. This is understandable, since baroque borrowed a lot of renaissance vocabulary, but gave it a more theatrical twist.
Diving into Baroque Architecture
Italy is really the centerpiece of all things baroque. Italy has given the world some important baroque architects and buildings, such as Pietro de Cortona, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, and Francesco Borromini.
From Italy, the baroque current transitioned to Spain, in the late 17th century. Compared to Northern Europe, the baroque elements used in Spanish architecture was more focused on human emotions, rather than looking to please the intellect. The most well-known baroque architecture sights in Spain are the University of Valladolid, and the facade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Image of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
As baroque moved to England, the most common name associated with this era was Inigo Jones. He brought Palladian architecture to England, giving them notions of symmetrical styles developed by Romans and Greeks.
However, the most popular name associated with England baroque is Sir Christopher Wren. He was an architect that rebuilt a lot of churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. His most famous reconstruction is St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Image of St. Paul’s Cathedral
England’s baroque architecture characteristics are the heavy structures that have intricate decorations, unlike the influences of continental European baroque, which is focused on classical elements.
The topic of baroque architecture can never be complete without discussing how this style has influenced the French. Everyone in the world has heard of the Versailles Palace, which is a results of the finest French baroque ever. The Versailles is an architectural masterpiece, with curved forms, imposing domes, and highly-complex shapes.
Image of the Versailles
Louis Le Vau is the architect behind the magnificence of this palace, with Charles Le Brun working on the interior decorations, and Andre Le Notre, responsible with landscape designing. The interior of the palace is adorned with golden fabrics, marble, sculpted side boards, mirrors, and other imposing elements, but so rich in detail!
A Word about Baroque Sculpture
Baroque has made quite an influence on sculptures as well. The 3D sculpture that received its influences have managed to depict human emotions and movement, up to a point where the statues were actually shocking. The main characteristic of baroque sculptures are their 360 viewing angles, meant to be places in a spot where they can be admired from all angles, rather than placing them against a wall.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini is the heaviest and most popular name in Italian baroque sculpture. He created the Louis XIV sculpture (which can now be admired at the Versailles Palace), depicting the French rules in a pose that would impress people throughout the centuries.
Image of Equestrian Statue of King Louis XIV by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The World of Baroque Painting
Baroque paintings are really easy to recognize, as they embed elements of drama, contrasting light and darkness, rich colors, and an emphasis on body posture and facial expressions. Probably one of the most iconic figures that’s associated with baroque paintings is Caravaggio, who created timeless masterpiece, such as “The Calling of St. Mathew” or “The Crowning with Thorns”.
Image of The Crowning with Thorns
Other famous baroque painters that greatly influenced the Italian baroque era were Giovanni Lanfranco, Peter Paul Rubens, and Domenico Zampieri. However, Pietro da Cortona is the name associated with the Roman High Baroque period. He was commissioned a lot of paintings for the Sacchetti family and baroque influences are clear across all of his works.
As far as Spanish paintings are concerned, one can clearly see how mysticism has influenced the genre. Back in 1492, the Spanish Golden Age began to flourish, as did literature and arts. One of the name associated with Spanish baroque paintings is Diego Velázquez.
His influential art made him a painter for King Philip IV, and then made him famous and demanded by aristocrats all over Europe. His signature painting is “Las Meninas”, a masterpiece with elements and complex details that are interpreted to this day by art critics from all corners of the world.
Image of “Las Meninas”
French art history is no stranger to baroque paintings either. Simon Vouet is one of the key name, an artist that introduced this style to French paintings. He taught baroque painting techniques to Charles Le Brun, who then became a painter in King Louis XIV’s court. Due to his amazing work, he ended up decorating the Palace of Versailles.
Nicolas Poussin is another French name associate with the baroque era. He is recognized due to his use of classical elements in baroque paintings, where logic and order are dominant. He became very popular due to his landscape paintings.
Baroque Centerpieces
Baroque is a current that has made a major contribution to art and architecture as we know it. While artworks are rich in number and extremely elaborate in details, we wanted to show you just a couple of the masterpieces that people remember to this day.
“The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholaes Tulp” – Rembrandt
Everyone who knows their art history associates the name Rembrandt with Baroque art. This particular painting is a benchmark of Dutch Baroque art, as it’s a scene rich in details, and quite a shocking one at that. The painting shows the dissection made by the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons. The executed criminal lies on a table, surrounded by dramatic bearded figures, in a gruesome scene that Rembrandt painted back in 1632.
“Apollo and Daphne” – Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Image: “Apollo and Daphne” – Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The sculpture of Apollo and Daphne is another masterpiece given to the words by the baroque era. The sculpture captures Daphne changing into a tree, and the facial expressions and tensions depicted by the two statues are astonishing. The tension and the despair highlighted by Bernini’s work created in 1625 has made “Apollo and Daphne” one of the most important forms of baroque art in history.
“St. Peter’s Basilica” – Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Carlo Maderno, Donato Bramante
Image “St. Peter’s Basilica”
When it comes to Italian baroque art, nothing is more famous than the St. Peter’s Basilica. It is currently the most famous Roman Catholic Church in the world, being a result of both Baroque and Renaissance influences. But by analyzing the elements that adorn this wonderful piece of architecture, the baroque influences become clearer and clearer.
When first entering the Basilica, you notice the walls lining is designed to suggest the embrace that the Catholic Church gives to everyone who passes their doorstep. The interior design was focused on allowing as much natural light as possible, while the biblical scenes scattered throughout the entire building are rich with details.
“San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane” – Francesco Borromini
Diving deeper into baroque architecture, we discover the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, another Italian church based in Rome. Dating back to 1634, this building was the first independent commission of architect Francesco Borromini. It is one of Rome’s main attractions, with a curvy facade and tall columns.
Walking inside the church, visitors discover baroque complexity at its finest. Everything about the interior of the church is rich in details, showcasing how well Borromini did with so little space available. The hidden windows are penetrates by light in the most unexpected corners, while the geometrical shapes and playfulness add even more grandeur to this already-spectacular place.
“Blenheim Palace” – John Vanbrugh
Image: “Blenheim Palace”
No list of baroque architecture can be complete without a reference to the Blenheim Palace. Offered as a gift to the John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, it was the Crown’s way of rewarding him for the victory on the Battle of Blenheim. To this very day, this is considered a monument of Britain’s victory.
This is probably the best example of how baroque influenced British architecture. The palace is adorned with elaborate roof lines, decorative columns, paintings and statues that depict the finesse of the baroque style.
“The Calling of St Matthew” – Caravaggio
Image: “The Calling of St Matthew”
Caravaggio was a controversial figure throughout history, but he is, beyond a shred of a doubt, an iconic name in baroque art. This work entitled “The Calling of St Matthew” shows a dark tavern, with a bunch men that are facing Christ, who is pointing at St. Matthew. The baroque elements of this painting are extremely visible: from the dark angles that transition to the light falling on the men’s figures, from the gestures to the facial expression which indicate the drama of the scene.
Conclusion
There are many terms that were used to describe the characteristics of baroque art: from opulence to grandeur, from exquisite to dramatic, from theatrical to mystique. Regardless of the terminology, baroque has been a great influence on the prosperity of art and architecture, and has given the world some paintings that are still analyzes and discussed to this day.
Image of the Versailles:
Often confused due to its overlap with the renaissance period, baroque is an artistic current that have left a huge mark on art, as we know it today. Baroque has very extravagant influences, easily recognized because of the fine elements and details that focus on emotions rather than logic and geometry.
Everything about baroque is passionate and interpretable, as most of the paintings and sculptures we see today are points of reference for art critics that discuss the evolution of art. While baroque is an era long dormant, and one with a brief reign at that, the pieces that survived to this day are flawless representations of one of the most beloved art currents of all times.
Baroque Art & Architecture Characteristics
Everything about the Baroque current was a tad dramatic, but astonishing nevertheless. Art history identified Baroque as being born somewhere around the 17th century, registering a continuous evolution until the 18th century. This artistic current first started in Rome, but quickly spread across Europe within the next decades.
As a general term, baroque is used to describe something with intricate details and very elaborate scenes. Judging by the details of every baroque art form, it became clear that the main purpose was to appeal to the human emotions, through drama and exaggeration.
One of the terms most commonly associated with the baroque era is “chiaroscuro”. This is a technique that combines light and dark scenery to create the dramatic scenes, some of which are poorly lit. By intertwining light and dark, painters were able to capture the best of every scene, to recreate a sense of despair.
Baroque also left an imprint on architecture. Every building that was created under these influences has very elaborate details, with elements of grandeur, making the visitor feel overwhelmed with the amount of elements that need to be carefully analyze to really understand the influences of this current.
It is not uncommon for people to confuse baroque with renaissance. This is understandable, since baroque borrowed a lot of renaissance vocabulary, but gave it a more theatrical twist.
Diving into Baroque Architecture
Italy is really the centerpiece of all things baroque. Italy has given the world some important baroque architects and buildings, such as Pietro de Cortona, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, and Francesco Borromini.
From Italy, the baroque current transitioned to Spain, in the late 17th century. Compared to Northern Europe, the baroque elements used in Spanish architecture was more focused on human emotions, rather than looking to please the intellect. The most well-known baroque architecture sights in Spain are the University of Valladolid, and the facade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Image of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
As baroque moved to England, the most common name associated with this era was Inigo Jones. He brought Palladian architecture to England, giving them notions of symmetrical styles developed by Romans and Greeks.
However, the most popular name associated with England baroque is Sir Christopher Wren. He was an architect that rebuilt a lot of churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. His most famous reconstruction is St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Image of St. Paul’s Cathedral
England’s baroque architecture characteristics are the heavy structures that have intricate decorations, unlike the influences of continental European baroque, which is focused on classical elements.
The topic of baroque architecture can never be complete without discussing how this style has influenced the French. Everyone in the world has heard of the Versailles Palace, which is a results of the finest French baroque ever. The Versailles is an architectural masterpiece, with curved forms, imposing domes, and highly-complex shapes.
Image of the Versailles
Louis Le Vau is the architect behind the magnificence of this palace, with Charles Le Brun working on the interior decorations, and Andre Le Notre, responsible with landscape designing. The interior of the palace is adorned with golden fabrics, marble, sculpted side boards, mirrors, and other imposing elements, but so rich in detail!
A Word about Baroque Sculpture
Baroque has made quite an influence on sculptures as well. The 3D sculpture that received its influences have managed to depict human emotions and movement, up to a point where the statues were actually shocking. The main characteristic of baroque sculptures are their 360 viewing angles, meant to be places in a spot where they can be admired from all angles, rather than placing them against a wall.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini is the heaviest and most popular name in Italian baroque sculpture. He created the Louis XIV sculpture (which can now be admired at the Versailles Palace), depicting the French rules in a pose that would impress people throughout the centuries.
Image of Equestrian Statue of King Louis XIV by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The World of Baroque Painting
Baroque paintings are really easy to recognize, as they embed elements of drama, contrasting light and darkness, rich colors, and an emphasis on body posture and facial expressions. Probably one of the most iconic figures that’s associated with baroque paintings is Caravaggio, who created timeless masterpiece, such as “The Calling of St. Mathew” or “The Crowning with Thorns”.
Image of The Crowning with Thorns
Other famous baroque painters that greatly influenced the Italian baroque era were Giovanni Lanfranco, Peter Paul Rubens, and Domenico Zampieri. However, Pietro da Cortona is the name associated with the Roman High Baroque period. He was commissioned a lot of paintings for the Sacchetti family and baroque influences are clear across all of his works.
As far as Spanish paintings are concerned, one can clearly see how mysticism has influenced the genre. Back in 1492, the Spanish Golden Age began to flourish, as did literature and arts. One of the name associated with Spanish baroque paintings is Diego Velázquez.
His influential art made him a painter for King Philip IV, and then made him famous and demanded by aristocrats all over Europe. His signature painting is “Las Meninas”, a masterpiece with elements and complex details that are interpreted to this day by art critics from all corners of the world.
Image of “Las Meninas”
French art history is no stranger to baroque paintings either. Simon Vouet is one of the key name, an artist that introduced this style to French paintings. He taught baroque painting techniques to Charles Le Brun, who then became a painter in King Louis XIV’s court. Due to his amazing work, he ended up decorating the Palace of Versailles.
Nicolas Poussin is another French name associate with the baroque era. He is recognized due to his use of classical elements in baroque paintings, where logic and order are dominant. He became very popular due to his landscape paintings.
Baroque Centerpieces
Baroque is a current that has made a major contribution to art and architecture as we know it. While artworks are rich in number and extremely elaborate in details, we wanted to show you just a couple of the masterpieces that people remember to this day.
“The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholaes Tulp” – Rembrandt
Everyone who knows their art history associates the name Rembrandt with Baroque art. This particular painting is a benchmark of Dutch Baroque art, as it’s a scene rich in details, and quite a shocking one at that. The painting shows the dissection made by the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons. The executed criminal lies on a table, surrounded by dramatic bearded figures, in a gruesome scene that Rembrandt painted back in 1632.
“Apollo and Daphne” – Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Image: “Apollo and Daphne” – Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The sculpture of Apollo and Daphne is another masterpiece given to the words by the baroque era. The sculpture captures Daphne changing into a tree, and the facial expressions and tensions depicted by the two statues are astonishing. The tension and the despair highlighted by Bernini’s work created in 1625 has made “Apollo and Daphne” one of the most important forms of baroque art in history.
“St. Peter’s Basilica” – Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Carlo Maderno, Donato Bramante
Image “St. Peter’s Basilica”
When it comes to Italian baroque art, nothing is more famous than the St. Peter’s Basilica. It is currently the most famous Roman Catholic Church in the world, being a result of both Baroque and Renaissance influences. But by analyzing the elements that adorn this wonderful piece of architecture, the baroque influences become clearer and clearer.
When first entering the Basilica, you notice the walls lining is designed to suggest the embrace that the Catholic Church gives to everyone who passes their doorstep. The interior design was focused on allowing as much natural light as possible, while the biblical scenes scattered throughout the entire building are rich with details.
“San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane” – Francesco Borromini
Diving deeper into baroque architecture, we discover the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, another Italian church based in Rome. Dating back to 1634, this building was the first independent commission of architect Francesco Borromini. It is one of Rome’s main attractions, with a curvy facade and tall columns.
Walking inside the church, visitors discover baroque complexity at its finest. Everything about the interior of the church is rich in details, showcasing how well Borromini did with so little space available. The hidden windows are penetrates by light in the most unexpected corners, while the geometrical shapes and playfulness add even more grandeur to this already-spectacular place.
“Blenheim Palace” – John Vanbrugh
Image: “Blenheim Palace”
No list of baroque architecture can be complete without a reference to the Blenheim Palace. Offered as a gift to the John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, it was the Crown’s way of rewarding him for the victory on the Battle of Blenheim. To this very day, this is considered a monument of Britain’s victory.
This is probably the best example of how baroque influenced British architecture. The palace is adorned with elaborate roof lines, decorative columns, paintings and statues that depict the finesse of the baroque style.
“The Calling of St Matthew” – Caravaggio
Image: “The Calling of St Matthew”
Caravaggio was a controversial figure throughout history, but he is, beyond a shred of a doubt, an iconic name in baroque art. This work entitled “The Calling of St Matthew” shows a dark tavern, with a bunch men that are facing Christ, who is pointing at St. Matthew. The baroque elements of this painting are extremely visible: from the dark angles that transition to the light falling on the men’s figures, from the gestures to the facial expression which indicate the drama of the scene.
Conclusion
There are many terms that were used to describe the characteristics of baroque art: from opulence to grandeur, from exquisite to dramatic, from theatrical to mystique. Regardless of the terminology, baroque has been a great influence on the prosperity of art and architecture, and has given the world some paintings that are still analyzes and discussed to this day.
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