Baroque

Born in Italy in the early 17th century and taken from the humanist forms of the architecture of the Renaissance, is the highly decorative Baroque style. This specific architectural style can be distinguished from other types due to its overabundance of gilded everything, especially putti or gilded figures made of wood, large-scale ceiling frescoes, tromp l'oeil paintings, florid sculpture, opulent use of color and ornaments, and dramatic use of light – all of this and more, and with grand intensity is characteristic of Baroque architecture. While Italian nobility patronized and showcased the beauty of the Renaissance, it was the Catholic Church that promoted Baroque architecture as it showed the power, glory and wealth of the Church. Baroque design appeared first in grand churches but was then seen all throughout Europe in stately homes and palaces, as the opulent style quickly gained popularity.