The Baroque Period

The Baroque Period

Late 16th – Early 18th Century

Elements and Themes

• Encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church

• Art communicated emotional religious themes

• Adopted by the nobility to impress society and advertise their power and influence

Mediums

• Painting – Use of rich, deep colors with one source of light.

• Sculpture – Captured the energy and emotion of society. Subjects usually shown “spiraling”. Used lighting and water fountains to add to the emotion.

• Architecture- Big and bold – use of the colonnade and dome.

Rococo18th century France

• From the French word – rocaille (stone/shell garden) and the word baroque

• Reaction to the Baroque, encouraged by King Louise XV• Focused on art and interior decoration – the entire

room as a piece of art.• Use of: natural leafy, shell like textures and curves. Soft

and pale colors – pastels.• Paintings were delicate and soft in form. Use of myths,

cherubs who were often portrayed as impure and playful.