Baroque is a word that derives its meaning from the Portuguese as the expression of an "ill-shaped pearl", or the decorating of decadent, bizarre, "over the top" and fantastic forms of art (and nature, obviously). It is fair to say that the period lasted from 1600 to about 1750. Baroque work is stylishly complex and strives to put forth the qualities of grandeur, drama, tension and emotional exuberance. The art was meant to be intense.
"Baroque" was the response of Rome to the Reformation. The approach of dynamic movement was perfect for the Catholic Church to the proselytizing of a "regrouped" church. It spread through Italy and France, although it had little impact on art in England and the Netherlands. Like art before and after this period, Baroque became a window upon science, politics and even how life was lived at the time.
Gianlorenzo Bernini was the master of the 'high baroque' period (1625-1675). His work, full of complete spiritual conviction, takes the movement to overwhelming display of grandiosity. Baroque architecture, in the form of churches, fountains and palaces resulted from the concentration of wealth into very few hands and the largesse of the Papacy. A major surge in building was under way from 1600-1700 throughout Europe, but particularly in France and Italy.
The Catholic Church had found a renewed gust of optimism with the Counter Reformation and needed a new architectural image. The Baroque churches were larger in scale than earlier times and the interiors had extensive richness in sculpture and paintings. There was a desire to evolve an immediate and highly emotional experience. The goal was to awe people.
As this was the period of exposure to world trade, the market centers also had a Baroque influence. Private residences also became elaborate.
Music from the period makes for a significant component of the cannon of classical music. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Monteverdi were all contributors to the period's music theory, diatonic tonality and use of imitative counter-point. The size, range and complexity of performance flowered at this time in history. Opera was invented. Baroque music with its unity of emotion, ornamentation, contrasting rhythm and improvisation.
All things considered, Baroque can be used as both an adjective and a noun for the re-conceptualization of the Catholic Church and its renewed influence ... all the way to today.
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