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 ClothingThe 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. 

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 Science

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 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.

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.