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Baroque is the period in the history of the Western arts roughly coinciding with the 17th century. It appeared in the XVI century in Italy by the XVIII century spreading over Germany, South America, and other regions. Baroque is distinguished for the complexity and contradiction of its style. Its general purpose is to evoke various emotional states by appealing to human senses, often in dramatic ways. Among the features often associated with interiors executed in Baroque style are rounded corners, abundance of the mirrors, gold stucco molding, ceilings with effect of space overflowing. All these details create the atmosphere of a theatre. The facade of a Baroque building is usually adorned with many decorative elements, sculptural groups and vases. Primarily, Baroque is considered to be the dominant style of European art between Mannerism and Rococo. This style originated in Rome and is associated with the Catholic Counter-Reformation, its salient characteristics – overt rhetoric and dynamic movement – being well suited to expressing the self-confidence and proselytizing spirit of the reinvigorated Catholic Church. However it is by no means associated with religious art, for some elements of Baroque style can be seen in artistic works that have nothing to do with emotional display, for example in the dynamic lines of certain Dutch still-life paintings.
Secondly, Baroque is used as a general name for the period during which this particular style was flourishing (XVII-XVIII centuries). Hence the appearance of such phrases as `the age of Baroque', `Baroque politics', `Baroque science', etc.
Thirdly, the term `Baroque' (often written without the initial capital) is applied to any art showing the qualities of vigorous movement and emotional intensity associated with Baroque art in its primary meaning. Most Hellenistic sculptures could therefore be described as `baroque'.
Michelangelo Buonarroti is considered to be both the last master of Renaissance and the founder of Baroque style. The highest point of his creative work is Peter's Cathedral in Rome, which style is defined as ‘baroque’. His statue "The Last from Titans" presupposes complication and refuses symmetry in composition thus losing the most important feature - reliability and monumentalism. Michelangelo created buildings with convex, concave or even curvilinear facades. One of the finest examples is the facade of Dignity Carlo church with four Francesco Barromini fountains.
The Baroque style is theatrical and extravagant. Decorative elements are intended to startle, electrify viewers and flaunt wealth. The furniture is massive and opulent, textiles are luxurious and expensive, colors are royally rich and glittery, accessories are exotic and sparkling. This style was most magnificently showcased at Frances Louis XIVs palace at Versailles.
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