Art History & Period Styles

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Architecture

Buildings of the Baroque period are composed of great curving forms and billowing facades. Ground plans were of unprecedented size and complexity and there were various shapes of domes. Some examples of these buildings are the churches of Francesco Borromini, Guarino Guarini and Balthasar Neumann. Most architectural structures were executed on a colossal scale, utilising aspects of urban planning and landscape architecture. This is most clearly seen in Bernini's elliptical piazza in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and in the gardens, fountains and the palace at Versailles. Axial overview (looking over and across) of Piazza of St. Peter's, Vatican City, Rome Aerial view of Versailles Palace In Spain in the 17th century, some features of Baroque art emerged in the architectural style of J. B. de Herr era’s school . The splendour and luxuriousness of the Baroque style were given a unique interpretation i...

Fashion

Fashion in the early Baroque in Western European clothing is characterized by the disappearance of the ruff. Instead broad lace or linen collars were favoured. Waistlines gradually rose for both men and women. The silhouette gradually softened and broadened. Sleeves that used to be tight and low were replaced by fuller designs that were often slashed or paned to showcase the voluminous sleeves of the shirt beneath. It was fashionable for men to wear tall or broad hats with brims, and breeches were favoured over hose. Early Baroque women's fashion Early Baroque men's fashion In the later Baroque period, fashion was characterized by change. Following the Restoration of England’s Charles II, military influences in men’s clothing were replaced by a brief time of decorative exuberance that toned down into the coat, waistcoat and breeches that became th...

Theatre

The first thing to transform from theatre in the Manneristic style was a revision of the architecture of the stage. Most of the technology used in current commercial plays was developed in this period. The new space became a ‘framed’ area, only the necessary actions were seen by the viewers; the purpose was to hide the machinery. This subsequently allowed for a more dramatic and realistic evolution to the performed works’ storyline etc.. Early on in the Baroque period, the decoration of the theatres was quite restrained and it gradually became increasingly ornate until it reached its peak, culminating in the exuberance and grandeur of the Rococo. After that point it started to get more restrained, particularly the architecture, as it gradually moved into the revival of the Classical period. An example of a Baroque style theatre stage

Furniture and Decorative Arts

It is believed that Baroque furniture was first introduced during King Luis XIV’s reign in France. It is a classical style that mixes grandeur and impressive styles that were meant to evoke a great sense of awe. An example of furniture in the Baroque style Baroque interiors emulated a sense of drama and the ornate. Interiors were luxurious and used materials such as velvet and damask furnishings. It’s style is dense with motifs of foliage such as garlands, flowers and wreaths. These characteristically decorate the ‘edges’ of the furniture, sculptures, and decorative ornaments. They create a highly ornate frame for the centerpiece of the main artwork, a contrast to the Classical style’s plainness. A wall bracket in the Baroque style This style also saw a lot of cherubs/putti. It utilised marquetry extensively. Marquetry is the art of layering of various coloured wood veneers onto the surface of furniture as a means of decoration. ...

The Baroque Period: An Introduction

The term Baroque is a controversial one and is said to originate from the Portuguese word for a ‘misshapen pearl’, and until the 19th century it mainly indicated something absurd or grotesque. In the modern day, it is the dominant style that belongs between the Mannerism and Rococo periods styles. The style originated in Rome around the late 16th century, and dominates the 17th century. It was strongly associated with the Roman Catholic church although it can be said that it is not explicitly connected with just religious art but also with works that do not have any sort of emotional portrayal (an example being certain Dutch still-life paintings). The full Baroque aesthetic was led by Italy and came about during the Early Baroque (c. 1600-1625) and culminated in the High Baroque (c. 1625-1675). After this came the restrained Baroque aesthetic (c. 1675-1725). The Baroque period reached its conclusion...