444 THE BAROQUE AND ROCOCO MOVEMENTS

ITALY
The Baroque Movement

At about the middle of the seventeenth century the Baroque
style reached its height in Italy. Changed social and political
conditions had fostered the development of this idea. The precise
Classic style no longer sufficed to express the new spirit. The
period was one of great prosperity, and magnificent display was
desired by the higher classes. It was also a time of religious dis-
quiet. The church was influential in the development of the
Baroque, as it was attempting to reach the spirit through the senses.

The art of the day expressed the agitation of the period, with
its contorted columns, disturbed horizontal lines, awkward forms,
and confused and excessive ornamentation, all contriving to pro-
duce an effect of unreal grandeur. The aim was to achieve the
exceptional in all forms of art. Palaces were splendid, home fur-
nishings were magnificent, and clothing was gorgeous.

The Baroque was a dynamic style expressing movement as op-
posed to the classical idea of repose. Curved lines replaced straight.
Large curves, reversed curves, short, vigorous, stopped curves that
usually ended in tight scrolls, and cyma curves were characteristic.
Broken pediments and tall finials were typical forms. Rich sculp-
ture was carved on articles made of wood. An important develop-
ment was that decoration no longer followed structural lines but
was meant to provide esthetic satisfaction in itself, regardless of
the object decorated.

The greatest artists that the world has ever known also helped
to develop the Baroque movement. The master Michelangelo was
not to be bound by the traditions and restrictions of the Classic
style. His genius helped to produce this new, exuberant, and
powerful style. In architecture, sculpture, and painting he created
new forms expressive of the age. Vignolia and Palladio also helped
to develop this movement; Bernini carried it on.

Sad to say, Michelangelo's less-talented followers sometimes used
the new forms as a means of decorative over-display, consistent
nevertheless with the time. Some classicists consider the Baroque
.. style decadent. It was, however, a bold, vigorous, masculine ex-
pression as contrasted with the feminine Rococo that followed