Baroque

Term describing a style in art and architecture. It developed in Italy in the late 16th century.

The Baroque architecture is characterised by symmetry and enormous ornaments. Buildings are often arranged in oval structures which is supposed to appeal to the viewer’s emotions. The interior is usually decorated with colourful ceiling paintings. The influences of Baroque can be seen in Europe until the 18th century.

The leading exponent of the Baroque influenced architecture in Britain was Christopher Wren.

Source

"Baroque architecture." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. [1]

http://qanda.encyclopedia.com/question/baroque-81044.html

Baroque Architecture

Barocco(Ital.) means bizarre. Its Style in architecture was very extraordinary.

Features that could be found in Baroque architecture were: Complicated shapes Large curved forms Twisted columns Grand stairways High domes Trompe l'oeil paintings (vgl.Architecture.about.com)

In British Baroque:

Regularity
Symmetry
Order
Massive Stability
“great single units placed in theatrical contrast to each other”
Ornamentation
Dynamics

Baroque art like paintings and architecture were based on Italian art, during the Restoration period. You can find similarities between British art, especially in architecture, and Italian buildings. Giovanni Bernini (1598-1660) designed St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. British architects developed this Italian style further and built and designed buildings similar to these great buildings eg St. Paul`s Cathedral. In Italy the original plan was to use spaces and curving lines. This style became famous in Europe. Many churches and public buildings were designed in the style of Baroque. Its “[…]decorativeness in colored marble, intricate designs, twisted columns, scattered cupolas, imposing facades, and unbalanced extensions or bulges. Stone and mortar were often blended with statuary and painting; indeed it was difficult to see where one art left off and the other began.” (R. A. Guisepi)

The British started a kind of competition and somehow wanted to show that they can outplay these former buildings, which were seen as magnificent and well-structured buildings, including beautiful art. Many buildings which were designed and built during the Restoration period overtrumped Italian or French architecture.

In Italy, buildings were designed extravagant, especially the Pope wanted churches to be pompous. Marble was the preferred material.

Other countries took up this style to demonstrate power and taste in art. The French “Palace of Versailles” could be seen as a typical example of Baroque style. In Britain “Blenheim Palace” was designed similar to this style. It demonstrated power and art. But different to Versailles, Blenheim wasn´t built for the king, but for a noble man. This also demonstrated power and wealth of Britain.

Sources:

Guisepi, R.A..The Baroque Era In The Arts. Web: http://history-world.org/baroque_era.htm (16.06.2013)

http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/Historic-Styles/Baroque.htm (16.06.2013)