The History of the Baroque Art Movement – And Why it Matters

Published Categorized as Art Movements, Baroque

Baroques – Ancient Styles of Architecture

Baroque is a style of art and architecture. The decorative arts and architecture and artistic design and creation developed during Western arts’ early history, roughly coinciding with the 16th century. The earliest appearances recorded in Italian sources date back to the latter years of the 15th century. However, in many places, particularly Northern Italy, Baroque’s notable culminating developments did occur much later. In France and the Netherlands, Baroques have been described as being “modern.” The story of Baroque art in England can be traced back to the fifteenth century. This time, the renaissance saw many artistic breakthroughs in architecture and painting influenced by the Baroque art movement. These early paintings often portrayed a traditional rural setting with many animals. They were very elaborate and featured detailed backgrounds. The use of bright colors, usually orange, blue, yellow, or red, and floral and animal figures also gave a very rustic appearance to these paintings.

Baroque Art Samples

Amongst the more famous examples of the decorative arts of this period are the famous cathedrals of the Italian Renaissance period – the Cathedrals of Siena (Siena) and Florence (Florence), and the churches of Toulouse and Rheims (both in France). These cathedrals and churches all feature some or all elements of Baroque architecture. The most common Baroques architectural element is the use of arches – such as the ones that the famous St Peter’s Basilica in Rome is made up. However, as mentioned previously, Arches were also prominent elements in many other Baroque architectural designs. There are some arguments that the style in architecture and artwork was developed before the early Renaissance period. Baroque’s architecture items, like furniture, ceramics, and paintings, all feature elements of the Renaissance period. In some cases, the difference can be minimal – and in other cases, the distinction can be substantial. Some Baroque furniture designs are still relatively common in contemporary homes today and are still very much part of traditional interior decorating practices.

Baroques styles were especially prevalent in architecture and decoration during the period of the Gothic and Baroque periods. Gothic architecture is perhaps the most well-known Baroque style, and the most well-known Gothic architecture is often associated with Baroques. However, in reality, both Gothic architecture and Baroques have distinct qualities, each having a particular set of characteristics. Both styles are characterized by heavy ornamentation and intricate carvings on stone and metal surfaces. The first Baroque style to become popular during the Gothic period was the Baroques of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The most obvious examples of this style are the famous Cathedrals of Siena and Florence, which feature heavy carvings on their exterior walls. Although many of these cathedrals were built over several years, some were built over a more extended period, including the San Vitale di Venezia in Florence. This Baroque style of architecture was very similar to the Baroques of the Renaissance, but there are also some differences.

Periodic Developments of Baroque Art

The Baroques of the medieval period were much less noticeable than the Baroques of the Renaissance. Some of the more popular Baroque designs and styles were not widely seen in the Baroque periods of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as they became less popular as time went by. Nevertheless, the most famous examples of Baroques from this period are still recognizable in modern architecture. One of these styles, in particular, is the Gothic architecture of Chartres. Although Baroques were less popular during the renaissance and Baroques were much less dominant than they are now, this period’s Gothic architectural style was not forgotten during the Gothic periods, and it is still very much alive and well. Gothic architecture is very much active today in contemporary architecture. Gothic architecture can be found in several ways. Some examples are the Gothic arches that line the roofs of old churches and cathedrals and the more modern Gothic styles that feature intricately carved stone and metal surfaces.

Today’s Baroques are often influenced by the modern styles of classical and Baroque architecture and even the Baroques of the Renaissance period. Also, new types of Baroques have been developed and are being added to the already existing Baroques styles that are common in contemporary architecture. Modern Baroques are often combined with modern design elements such as art nouveau and modern lighting techniques. To see examples of modern Baroques in architecture, look around. You will find many examples of these styles.