Result of the Council of Trent was evolution of Baroque art. Baroque art developed in the decades after
the council and certainly met the requirements imposed by it. It depicted the subjects in much more
dramatic way. The artist allowed themselves to depict wider ranges of biblical scenes. The emphasis was
made on overwhelming the crowd. Sometimes details and realism was reduced, though. Artists usually
captured drama through chiaroscuro lighting (high contrast between foreground and background and
forming depth through lighting), cherubs (winged, sometimes armored angels) and swirling clouds.
Baroque in 18 century developed into more flamboyant Rococo style. Rococo used plenty of abstract
smooth curves that did not quite suite church. The style of Rococo was widely adapted in royal and
prominent houses, though. The end of 18th century reaction of the church finally turned the religious art
back to classical/Palladian forms.
By the end of 18th century Churches were over-stock with artwork. Reason was development of
technology and decrease of price of art. Besides, there were unnecessarily huge numbers of churches in
Europe. Artists turned their attention to aristocrats and middle class as well. They were able to succeed in
secular art without having to devote themselves to church. Private collectors increased the number of
purchases both from artists and churches.
19th century was a period of repudiation of both – Catholic and Roman Classicism in churches.
Instead there was a wave of revival of the Gothic style throughout the whole Europe. The churches were
built almost exclusively in Gothic forms. Most well-known leaders of the wave were English Augustus
Pugin and French Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The trend urges restoration of medieval Gothic churches in
England and France. The point of attention was transferred but the number of artworks produced was
decreased to the amount not seen after Roman Empire. Colored lithography and popular Catholic art
became cheap like never before and was mass-produced everywhere, sometimes for commercial reasons.
Architects started merging Gothic style into classical. Some of them were oriented on reviving classical
and Byzantine styles. Good examples are the Westminster Cathedral in London and Sagrada Familia in
Barcelona. The trend was followed by introduction of 20th century utilitarian shapes in religious art which
contained a bare minimum of decorative elements and were focused on naturalism. This trend,
Modernism, is the one that is still extensively in use in modern churches. E.g.: Liverpool Metropolitan
Cathedral of Christ the King.