Baroque art history is a period of artistic expression that began in the early 17th century, and lasted until the mid-18th century. It is characterized by dramatic and ornate use of color and light, as well as exaggerated motion and overall grandeur. This period of art history was influenced by both the Italian Renaissance and Mannerism, which preceded it.
The main style used during this period was called Baroque, which derived its name from the Portuguese word for “irregular pearl.” Instead of using linear perspective like that used in Renaissance art, Baroque artists used theatrical lighting to create dynamic scenes with strong contrasts between light and dark. This style was often used to depict dramatic religious scenes or to glorify a particular subject such as a king or queen.
Baroque art is also known for its use of lavish materials such as gold leaf and marble, as well as intricate details. The most famous example of this type of artwork is Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. Other well-known Baroque artists include Caravaggio, Rembrandt van Rijn, Diego Velázquez, Artemisia Gentileschi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Steen, and many more.
The Baroque period is often credited with introducing new genres of painting such as portraiture and still life painting. During this time period painters began to explore the beauty of everyday life through paintings of gardens, animals, food items and landscapes. This trend was further encouraged by the development of opera houses where art could be performed in a more theatrical setting than ever before.
In addition to painting during this era there were also advancements made in sculpture such as Bernini’s highly emotive sculptures depicting religious scenes or his famous fountains found throughout Rome. The combination of these two mediums allowed for an even more dynamic form of storytelling than just painting alone could provide.
Overall Baroque art was an important step forward in the development of Western Art History; it provided a unique opportunity for artists to experiment with different media while creating highly emotionally charged compositions that still resonate today.
Conclusion: What Is a Baroque Art History? It is an influential period in art history that began in the early 17th century until mid-18th century characterized by dramatic use of color and light along with exaggerated motion and grandeur. It gave rise to new genres like portraiture and still life painting while incorporating the best elements from Italian Renaissance and Mannerism styles before it into its own unique style known as Baroque which remains timelessly popular today.