The term Baroque is used to describe the art, sculpture, architecture and music of the seventeenth century. Baroque originates from the Portuguese word barocco, "a pearl of irregular form". The spirit of the seventeenth century had a strong influence on the arts. The seventeenth century was "ushered in on a wave of tremendous intellectual, physical, and spiritual activity" (Cykler 170). As a result of the Protestant Reformation, the rise of the Mercantile System, absolutism in government and advances in science, this new spirit emerged.

The arts during the Baroque create a feeling of movement, energy and tension. Strong contrasts of light and shadow and an infinite amount of space are evident. Intense spirituality and realism are usually present. "The artist would often portray the figures as individuals with their own personalities, to capture the inner workings of the mind and to portray the passions of the soul on their faces" (Sulivan 1). Baroque degraded Renaissance style and was more exaggerated.

Due to contrasting influences on their lives and art, Baroque painters used the elements of art differently than their predecessors. In paintings, the lines were usually diffused, the color was monochromatic, and the distance was infinite. The contrast between light and shade also became important. Magnificent painters came from throughout Europe, barring Germany and England. Like the Renaissance, the Baroque painters decorated the interior of palaces and chapels and created grand altarpieces (Griedrich 92).

In addition to art, Baroque style transcended sculpture. Baroque sculpture was filled with individuality, more action and expressiveness than Renaissance style. There is also evidence of intense emotional ecstasy and imagination. A famous Baroque sculptor, Gianiorenze Bernini, put aspects of his personal religious expressiveness, as did many sculptors of the time, into his statue of David. This piece is also an example of the contrasts between Renaissance and Baroque art: Michaelangelo's statue of David is monumental, while Bernini's is full of energy and action (Cukler 182-185).

The spirit of the Baroque also added ornamentation and vigor to classic architecture design. Buildings had many characteristics of Baroque paintings, such as the use of light and shade, flexibility of form, and movement. They were designed to "present a dramatic spectacle to the eye" (Cykel 186). The grand stairwells of the Laurentain Library in Florence and the Schloss Augustburg castle at Bruhl show the differences between Renaissance and Baroque style. "In the former, a feeling of serenity and order is projected through uncluttered lines, balance, and symmetry. In the latter, the exuberance and excitement of the Baroque are achieved by an encrustation of ornament and decoration over the structural members of the architecture" (Cykler 186). The stairs, which are surrounded by embellished ornamentation, are not the focus of the room. The Baroque style was especially apparent in its church buildings. They are decorated to show the magnificence of heaven.

Like many other periods, music was the last of the arts to develop during the Baroque. The seventeenth century laid the foundation for a musical revolution. The two major developments of music were the evolution of dramatic vocal music, the opera, oratorio and cantata, and the "emancipation of instrumental music from its nearly exclusive use of coval forms, leading it to a position of dominance by the end of the period" (Cykler 194). One way the baroque music greatly contrasted from the Renaissance style was that the basis of harmony was tonality. "The harmonies and chordal progressions were carefully developed, as opposed to the Renaissance style where harmonies were only a result of the melodic lines" (Cykler 196). Baroque composers established a relationship between the melody and the bass line. As vocal music was progressing, the opera was developed. The opera is a staged dramatic musical production, preformed by singers, and instrumentalists with support from lighting, scenery, costumes, and often, dance (Cukler 196).

The Baroque period was one of the most productive times of art, sculpture, architecture and music. Some of the most famous artists, architects and composers were from this time. "The sense of limitless power, checked by an overwhelming sense of cosmic relationships, produced by a style which startles by its contrast, yet exhibits a singular and unique unity" (Friedrich 92). Today, "many of the artists and writers would surely have been greatly surprised to be called 'baroque', as they strove for classic design and perfect beauty" (Friedrich 92).

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