The debut of Russian Baroque, or Petrine Baroque, followed a long visit of Peter the Great to western Europe in 1697–1698, where he visited the Châteaux of Fontainebleau and Versailles as well as other architectural monuments.
The arts present an unusual diversity in the Baroque period, chiefly because currents of naturalism and classicism coexisted and intermingled with the typical Baroque style.
Though Baroque was superseded in many centers by the Rococo style, beginning in France in the late 1720s, especially for interiors, paintings and the decorative arts, Baroque architecture remained a viable style until the advent of Neoclassicism in the later eighteenth century.
Did you know? Baroque came to English from the French word barroque, meaning "irregularly shaped." At first, the word in French was used mostly to refer to pearls. Eventually, it came to describe an extravagant style of art characterized by curving lines, gilt, and gold.
In the 1600s, following the Renaissance, an expressive style took hold of European art, architecture, and music. Baroque art often features dramatic contrasts in elements such as shapes or lighting. This creates a sense of movement and intense emotion.
Baroque A style characterized by realism, dramatic light/dark contrast, and complex compositions. It affects the emotions and activates the viewer’s space.
Explore the Baroque cultural movement and discover how its theatrical style swept across Europe in the 17th century, influencing art, architecture and music.
Baroque was the dominant style in art and architecture of the seventeenth century, characterized by self-confidence, dynamism and a realistic approach to depiction