Material Culture, Absolutionism, and Oligarchy 18th Century Baroque and Palladianism

By the 17th Century, renaissance art influenced most of Europe. Baroque originated in Italy but had different styles in different countries it influenced. The visual language included modern qualities and elaborate materials.

The Palace of Versailles had a lot of Baroque design elements. Baroque was often used as a display of power, and France was the centre of power in Europe in the 17th Century.

Galerie des Glas



Salon d'Apollo



Salon de Guerre




Art became a political statement, especially in palaces.

Louis XIV painted as Jupiter



Louis XIV was an absolute monarch and his word was law, he was symbolised by the sun. Versailles influenced many following palaces.

During the steward era in Britain, Baroque emerged because Britain became a republic after the beheading of Charles I in 1660. Charles II became king and brought Baroque to Britain along with other ideas and influences from France.

There were a wide range of Baroque painting styles, all quite similar to late renaissance style. The Baroque painting period lasted from around the beginning of the 17th century to the 18th century. Baroque paintings consisted of a great drama and the colours were very rich and deep. The paintings often presented beauty.

las maninas - Diego Velasquez



There was a shift in ideals of female beauty and what was considered perfection.

The erogenous zone changes and different parts of the body were now highlighted and celebrated in painting.

Anthony Van Dyck



Mary hill