Ninth Session

The baroque period revolved around an artistic style that emerged in Europe. It dominated all other styles of art during the early 18th Century, and is described as a style with movement, lots of emotion, and a self confident feel to it. The Roman Catholic Church supported and encouraged this style, which at the time was a very significant factor because the church's opinion was extremely important to society. This was in part due to the religious themes it depicted, and the direct way they were expressed. The nobles, which controlled society along with the church, also approved this style because they used it as a way of impressing outsiders and showing triumph and power.

The reason this style was so appealing and easily approved by society was because it gave out a message in a simple and obvious manner, and at the same time being dramatic. Baroque painting is characterized by details, especially in the rendering of cloth and the texture of the skin.

Baroque sculpture was made up of human form figures with dynamic movement and energy. You could appreciate them from numerous angles. They were often adorned with additional elements like fountains or lighting.

The Rococo period, also known as "Late Baroque" is a style that developed after the Baroque period. When artists got tired of symmetry they went in an opposite direction with increasingly detailed and ornate pieces. This style is elegant and playful, but the Baroque influence is still evident. Rococo rooms were heavily decorated with elegant furniture, sculptures and mirrors. The wall paintings and architecture was also ornate.
The style is often described as frivolous and modish. It is made up of soft shell-like curves and it is focused on decorative art. Nevertheless, it is still considered an important style of that contributed to European art.

Unlike the larger than life sculptings of the Baroque period, the Rococo sculptures were of a much smaller scale, and was use as indoor decoration. Metal and porcelain were often used for these, and they were popular among the upper class. Themes of love were reflected in their sculptures as well as nature.

Another characteristic of the style was asymmetry, which was new to Europe. Everything was given soft shape, even the most flattest surfaces. Also, furniture became lighter and easily moved between homes. This versatility was new too.

Rococo paintings were made with soft colors. They decorated their canvases with cherubs and mythical objects which let to their themes being considered to be a little cheesy. Portraits were also popular themes, often perceived as impure and sexual. The difference to the Baroque style's themes of church elements is also obvious.