The Baroque period, flourishing from the 17th to mid-18th centuries, was a movement bursting with drama and grandeur. It originated in Italy as a reaction to the preceding Mannerist style and the social and religious upheaval of the Reformation. The Catholic Church, seeking to counter the rise of Protestantism, embraced Baroque art as a powerful tool.

Baroque artworks aimed to evoke a strong emotional response in viewers. Paintings used dramatic lighting, swirling figures, and rich colors to depict religious scenes with heightened realism. Sculptors like Bernini created figures that seemed to leap from their pedestals, blurring the line between art and reality. Architects designed grand, sprawling buildings with elaborate curves and domes, aiming to inspire awe and reverence.

Baroque paintings in particular were a feast for the eyes. Artists employed a technique known as chiaroscuro, using a stark contrast between light and shadow to create a sense of drama and depth. They often incorporated complex diagonals and dynamic compositions to draw the viewer's eye around the canvas. Monarchs and aristocrats across Europe commissioned Baroque works to showcase their power and wealth. The movement even reached the colonies, where it blended with local artistic traditions. Painters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt pushed the boundaries of realism, depicting everyday people alongside religious figures and using light to highlight both piety and moral corruption. Their works continue to be admired for their technical virtuosity, emotional power, and enduring influence on Western art.