Barocco Begins:

The name Baroque originates from the Portuguese term "Barocco." This was a term that was more of a jab than an adjective. It was used to describe bad or bizarre taste. it is the first time we see such a diversity in arts and ideas at one time. At this time, instead of simply telling the story, we see over the top drama and detailed embellishments all over the paintings and architecture. It also must be said that Baroque applied to all visual art throughout Europe: visual art, architecture, music, drama, and literature. The Baroque lasted from the early 17^th century through the mid-18^th century. This is the style of the Palace of Versailles, Jonathan Swift (most known for writing Gulliver's Travels), Voltaire (author and philosopher), Francesco Borromini (architect), and two major musicians: George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. In the visual arts there were also two leaders. Most artists of this time followed one of these two artists. An artist was a Rubéniste (French), or Rubenist (a follower of Peter Paul Rubens) or a Poussiniste (French), or Poussinist (a follower of Nicolas Poussin). What is the difference? Well, to break it down into the simplest denominator, a Rubenist believes that color rules over design and a Poussinist feels that design rules over color. In the end, the Rubenists more deeply influenced the course of the art world. I am a great admirer of the Rubenist artists my self, but I approach and create art more as a Poussinist (even though I prefer Rubins’ work over Poussin’s). This is why I love art: it is always overly complex.

Due to the large amounts of content on each artist, you can find the information, photos, links, and other tid-bits under the link on this page to the "Artists notes."