The Baroque Era 1600-1750
Baroque literally means an uneven pearl. It came
from the Portuguese word barocoo. Now it
means art that is bizarre, flamboyant and
elaborately ornamented. The Baroque Palace of
Versailles near Paris, was built and decorated as
a magnificent setting for King Louis XIV of France.
Early in the 1600’s, a new style lavished
buildings with complex shapes,
extravagant ornaments, opulent paintings
and bold contrasts.
The baroque age is
also known as the
age of absolutism or
the divine right of
kings. A monarch
had absolute power
over the state.
King Louis XIV,
The Sun King
Baroque Clothing
The clothing worn by royalty was often brightly colored, made of silk or
velvet, and trimmed with lace, ribbon, or braid.
Baroque Hairstyles
Louis XIV started the fashion trend of wigs for men because he was
going bald. Some women also wore spectacular wigs, powdered,
starched, and piled high in curls.
Baroque Science
The Baroque period is also
considered the age of
scientific discoveries.
Galileo proposed a sun
centered universe as
opposed to an earth
centered universe. He
also perfected the
telescope.
Sir Isaac Newton identified
gravity and formulated
principles of physics and
mathematics.
Baroque Instruments
Many of the instruments
played during the
Baroque period are the
same ones play today.
String instruments,
trumpet, flute, bassoon
and oboe were all used.
Keyboard instruments
included the organ and
harpsichord. Although
the first pianos were
invented at the end of
the Baroque period,
they did not become
popular for many years.
Opera became very
popular during the
Baroque Era. It
combined elaborate
sets and costumes
with musical
performances by
skilled singers. The
dramatic productions
of the opera had their
origins in the music
dramas of the Church.
Opera was attended
by all the classes from
peasants to royalty.
Opera
1750 marked the
end of the Baroque
Era. This was the
same year as the
death of Johann
Sebastian Bach,
one of the great
composers from the
Baroque Era.