The etymology of the word “baroque” is French. The term was used in the study of formal logic to describe something that is unnecessarily convoluted or obscure.
The first instances of Baroque art have been traced to the city of Rome in Italy. There are several reasons for this, which almost all relate to the presence of the Catholic Church in that region.
During the Catholic Revival, Pope Sixtus V aimed to solidify the presence of the Catholic Church within Europe. He did this through Baroque-style art and architecture.
The Late Baroque period is often referred to as the Rococo period. Although it retained the ornate style of the Baroque style it was different in several ways.
Most artworks created in Catholic countries during this time were commissioned specifically to decorate churches and cathedrals, thus the Catholic dogma is evident.
Previously these ordinary subject matters were considered too mundane to paint. Only portraits, Classical mythology, religious allegory, and historical paintings were considered worthy subject matter.
One of the most distinctive features of Baroque paintings is that they were often painted on dark surfaces. As many appeared as decorations in churches they would often be painted directly onto dark wood.
One of the ways in which artists enticed the eye was through the use of subtle diagonals. This creates a feeling of movement and complexity that is more interesting to the eye than straight lines.