In a pretty sharp contrast to last week’s post on the anti-ornamental Bauhaus, here’s a quick overview of Baroque.

The Baroque movement, spanning the 16th-18th centuries, built off Renaissance and Mannerist precedents to create extravagant and emotional works of art and architecture.

Sharp contrasts between foreground and background, and between light and dark aimed to engage attention, with figures and facades visually and physically reaching out to the viewer.

Concepts are bold and clear, which makes some of these elements really great for some websites; although overall the super-decorative bits may be too rich for the internet, the sheer amount of detail in each piece is worth considering.

Facade of Borromini’s San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, 1637. Personal favorite.

The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio, 1600.

Rembrandt’s Hundred Guilder Print, 1647-1549

Facade of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, 1738-1750

Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Theresa, 1645-52