Baroque Architecture: The Origin, The Development and the Masterpieces

At first appearance, Baroque architecture appears to be quite similar to the construction methods used during the Renaissance. However, baroque architectural elements were known for their dramatic flair. The baroque artisans reworked ancient details on purpose to make their structures showier and more dramatic. 

Baroque style architecture, which dated back to the 17th century and was characterised by a highly intricate architectural style, can be traced back to Rome in the early stages of the Baroque period. 

During its zenith in the High Baroque, Italian Baroque architecture swept across Europe, eventually giving rise to various nationalised takes on the style. Numerous palaces and churches in Italy, France, Spain, Bavaria, Portugal and Austria were built in baroque style architecture.

Because it was supposed to reflect the splendour of the Roman Catholic Church, Baroque architecture is often known as the Catholic style. But how did it develop over the centuries? Is there a way to spot it? Were there any famous people involved? You’ll find all the answers right here.

What Does Baroque Architecture Entail? 

Vaulting cupolas (dome-like ceilings) supported by revolving colonnades (rows of pillars), walls and entrances built of rough stones and smooth plaster, and interior design signified by opulent fabrics and furniture are all hallmarks of the baroque style, which flourished in the seventeenth century. The Italian or Portuguese word Barocco is where the English word “baroque” is most likely derived from. 

Frescoes by baroque artists, such as Nicolas Poussin, Caravaggio, Diego Velázquez, Peter Paul Rubens, and Rembrandt, were frequently used to decorate the stucco walls of this kind of building. 

Baroque composers reflected the style’s stress on precise form and rigidity and a drive toward creative transcendence in their work, giving the style a significant historical presence alongside the music of the time.

Architecture from the Baroque Era and Its Periods 

Three distinct periods characterise the baroque design. From 1584 through 1625, Rome was the centre of the Early Baroque architectural movement. The High Baroque style, which began in Italy and lasted until about 1675, was responsible for several significant buildings. 
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1. Early Baroque Period (1584 – 1625) (1584 – 1625) 

In the late 16th century, the Catholic Church in Rome attempted to compete with the solemn academic style of the earlier Protestant and Reformation churches. These magnificent Baroque structures aimed to win over the hearts and minds of the devout locals. To do this, they drew on aspects typical of Baroque architecture, such as fluidity, contrast, deceptive visual techniques like quadratura, and imagery to create perspective and three-dimensional environments, referred to as trompe-l’oeil. 

Rome 

The Church of Saint Peter was still under construction in Rome. The new colonnade and facade would complement Michelangelo’s colossal dome. Among the earliest proponents of Baroque architecture, Carlo Maderno used techniques that emphasised depth and space. Designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Della Porta in 1584, the Church of the Gesù was the first church with a Baroque interior and front. 

Paris 

Quickly, the trend made its way to the French capital courtesy of itinerant Jesuits. The Church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in Paris was the first structure in France to exhibit a facade decorated with Baroque motifs. In 1615, Marie de Medici, queen of France, commissioned French architect Salomon de Brosse to create the Luxembourg Palace, her new residence, in the style of Italian Baroque architecture. Similarly, Louis Le Vau infused the Vaux-le-Vicomte with Baroque elements for Nicolas Fouquet, the financial supervisor of King Louis XIV. 

Europe’s Central Region 

The Corpus Christi Church in Nesvizh, Belarus, the earliest example of Baroque architecture in Central Europe, dates back to when the town was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Jesuits erected the first regional structure with a Baroque facade and a dome. Saint Peter and Paul Church in Poland is one of the region’s first examples of Baroque architecture. 
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2. High Baroque (1625 – 1675) 

Pope Urban VII was arguably the most influential patron of Baroque architecture. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, an Italian architect, succeeded Carlo Maderno as the principal Papal architect after Maderno’s death in 1629. Then, he set out to completely alter the city look of Rome’s core by erecting new Baroque structures, furnishing them with Baroque furnishings, and constructing new public fountains and plazas. 

Italy 

While the Baroque style of Italian architecture began in Rome, its influence quickly extended over the entire country. The Santa Maria Della Salute was constructed by Baldassare Longhena in 1630. However, the Barberini Palace, which served as the papal residence for Urban VIII’s family, was not the only building designed in the baroque style. Another vital church from this period is the Santi Luca e Matina, built in Rome by Pietro da Cortona in 1635. 

France 

When he returned to France from Rome in 1614, the French architect Jaques Lemercier began work on the Church of Sorbonne and the Pavillon de l’Horloge in the Louvre Palace. In 1607, at King Louis XIII of France’s request, he was dispatched there to investigate the defining features of Baroque design. The Church of Val-De-Grace and the College of the Four Nations both had domes constructed in a Baroque design not long after. 
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King Louis XIV could assume full power after the death of Italian politician Cardinal Mazarin in 1661. He assigned Charles le Bruin to oversee the royal family’s architecture projects and put Jean-Baptiste-Colbert in charge of the arts. The Royal Academy of Architecture was founded the following year, in 1671. It was designed to rival Paris as the world’s architectural capital. Louis XIV’s first construction project was the east wing facade of the Louvre Palace. 

3. Late Baroque Revival (1675 – 1750) 

During the Late Baroque period, the style extended over the rest of Europe, including France, England, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Scandinavia, and many other areas. Different regional variants of the style emerged, each with unique characteristics and names. The final stages of this era saw the emergence of Rococo, an elaborate offshoot of Baroque popular in Spain, France, and other parts of Central Europe. 

Italy 

Italy’s early 1700s saw the spread of regionally distinct Baroque architecture. The beautiful Basilica of Superga, located on a hill above Turin and created by Italian architect Filippo Juvarra, is a prime example of this period. The Basilica may have served as inspiration for the Panthéon in Paris. The Stupinigi Palace, a hunting lodge and mansion from this era that Juvarra constructed, is another excellent example of Italian Baroque architecture. 
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France 

During the Late Baroque era, the Palace of Versailles saw a period of architectural development, with more Baroque interior designs added to the chapel and the Hall of Mirrors. Rococo was a new architectural style that emerged from the remnants of the Baroque period between 1723 and 1759. An outgrowth of the Baroque, it was popular in France until the 1750s and was called Rocaille. 

England 

Rebuilding St. Paul’s Cathedral started in 1675. English architect Christopher Wren, widely considered among the greatest of all time, was responsible for its design. Besides Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich Hospital, he is well-known for his other works in the English Baroque style. 

Europe’s Central Region 

Some of the most impressive examples of Late Baroque architecture in Central Europe may be found in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. Fischer von Erlach, thearchitect of Vienna’s largest church, the Karlskirche, commissioned by the Habsburg rulers, is often regarded as Austria’s most influential architect. 

Balthasar Neumann, a significant figure in German Baroque architecture, was responsible for the design of the Prince-Würzburg Bishop’s Residence, among many other Baroque structures. One of the most influential people in Bohemia at the time, Christoph Dientzenhofer, used intricate circular shapes and counter curves in his building. 

Spain 

While the Jesuits did much to spread the word about the new Baroque style, economic and political turmoil in Spain during the 17th century meant the style was adopted slowly. Early Spanish architecture is characterised by ornate exteriors and spare, Baroque interiors. A sense of intrigue was created by the lighting design within the interior. The west facade of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a prime example of Spanish Baroque architecture, was designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa. 

South America 

Baroque style architecture was introduced to Latin America by the Portuguese and Spanish in the 1600s. This group included many Jesuits who had travelled to the area to establish new religious centres by erecting churches. The name “Churrigueresque” comes from the fact that Jose Benito de Churriguera was a significant inspiration for this style. 

Essential Characteristics of Baroque Buildings 

Baroque architecture serves a defined aim, notably that of the aid of the Counter-Reformation. This is because it follows a well-defined architectural plan, making it possible to single out various features. The baroque style’s primary purpose is to excite the observer’s feelings and senses. Because the Reformation advocated a reasoned and austere image, the Catholic Church replied by pursuing the opposite approach. Because of this, every element of a baroque structure is carefully crafted to stimulate the senses and stir the emotions of those who visit. 

Architectural plans typically rely on complicated shapes, such as an oval base and various oppositions of materials and forms, to engage with the viewer’s emotions. Incorporating a variety of settings is a tried-and-true method of highlighting movement and sensuality. Its grandiose scale and theatrical flair can recognise baroque architecture and the use of contrasting surfaces, as well as its abundance of curving, winding details and gilded sculpture. Most interiors have elaborately painted ceilings that give the impression that there is no roof above the viewer but that it extends into the sky or some sort of heavenly realm. Let’s break down these features and learn about them in depth.

1. In Baroque design, everything flows together seamlessly. 

Baroque architecture is characterised by its wide variety due to its use of architectural designs that extend beyond standard geometric shapes and frequently use other concepts such as fusions of forms that imitate a natural element. The architects have more room to experiment with different shapes and forms to create visual motion because the layout is so intricate. 

Because Baroque architects aspired to do the unimaginable, generating movement in the most conceivable static form of art, they relied on curves. Curves became the primary feature of all Baroque art and architecture. The main feature of a building’s exterior was still its columns, much like in Renaissance architecture. Artists like Bernini rapidly caught on to the idea that they needed undulating columns to convey motion. Bernini’s magnificent Baldacchino from St. Peter in Rome is a superb example of this dynamic effect. Guarino Guarini took his search for motion one step further by employing an undulating order, which represented a system of undulating parts that would ultimately provide the impression of continuous curving.

2. Colourful nirvana awaits you. 

Painting and colour played an essential role in the intricate process of bringing a building to life. If artists in the Renaissance started painting ceilings for patrons, the Baroque period took it to a new level. This was a nice-to-have throughout the Renaissance, but it became mandatory during the Baroque period. Ceilings were also decorated in other ways besides painting. From the Renaissance onward, wooden ceilings were still popular, but they evolved into lacunar ceilings by including painted or gilded voids. 

When the ceiling wasn’t crafted from wood, a rich stucco palette was used to add dimension. Stucco was a plaster material that was moulded and placed on the ceiling to give it a three-dimensional appearance, made possible by the use of finely powdered marble. Wreaths made of various plants and foliage, geometric shapes, and even human figures like cupids were typical stucco decorations. What needs to be emphasised is that the Baroque was a highly varied style that was comfortable blending multiple approaches to achieve its goals. In this way, you can expect to see elements made of wood and stucco on a ceiling that has been painted. 

3. It’s all in the Specifics 

If there is a style of architecture that revels in the minute, it must be the Baroque. The use of elaborate decoration was central to the baroque style. This contributes to the general public’s impression that baroque structures are intimidating and out of this planet. All the information is too much to take in with a single glance. It’s all put together to appear so heavenly you’d think you’d died and gone to heaven. 

Exquisite wooden, granite, marble and stone sculptures cover the walls, and the ceiling is typically vaulted, arched, and painted. Even the most minor details have been carefully attended to. In the baroque style, every available resource is utilised. The painters and architects used materials as effectively as possible, saving marble for the most expensive items and reserving wood for the most elaborate designs. Decor played a significant role in bringing together a building’s various components, which is why architects now view them as a unified whole. Architectural sculptures, as well as vegetative and ornamental motifs, become crucial components in facilitating the viewer’s eye movement from the ground to the walls and then to the ceiling without detecting any breaks in continuity.

4. The Art of Light Play 

In theatre, light plays a crucial function. It can tell the observer if the scene is cheerful or foreboding, depending on how it is arranged. Baroque architecture was no different since the style sought to make a dramatic statement via all of its aesthetic expressions. Without the skilful manipulation of light, it would be impossible to achieve a dramatic mood. 

How, though, does one control the path of light inside a structure? After all, light is not a static picture nor a sculpture. This could be achieved by contrasting prominent projections with deep, abrupt recessions. Disrupting the surface and making it uneven is another option. To achieve this effect, architects primarily relied on little carved ornaments that would cast shadows and catch light from different angles. The simple blending of other materials to create the breaking of the surface would be another approach to manipulating light. Each substance takes on shadow and light differently. In this way, the architect achieved the same dramatic balance of light and shades as in a Caravaggio painting by employing various materials. 

5. Illusion is necessary for Baroque-style architecture. 

Grandeur is the ordinary adjective that may define any baroque architecture, which brings us to another crucial feature: illusion. The most expensive materials necessary to get the divine into one’s castle or cathedral can only be afforded by those with unlimited means. But not everyone could afford to build elaborate Baroque structures. Illusion would play a role here because it is a cost-cutting measure that might help keep building costs down. Art historians often joke that Baroque represents a kind of kitsch, although this perception has some truth. 

It was not always possible to decorate a structure with pricey materials like marble, gold, silver, pearls, etc. A great deal of the sophistication of baroque design comes from the use of optical illusion to simulate the use of expensive materials. For instance, magnificent columns are typically placed at the altar of a baroque church. The columns appear to be carved from marble at a distance, but closer inspection reveals that they are constructed from wood and painted to look like marble. Due to the high level of talent used, the audience was frequently and readily misled. Gold paint was used to make decorative accents look like they were made of genuine gold, and painted frames on ceilings were made to look like they were made of natural wood. The visual and auditory senses were manipulated in the Baroque period.

The Difference Between Baroque and Renaissance Styles 

Many of the characteristics of Renaissance architecture were refined in the Baroque period. Both the Renaissance and the Baroque drew inspiration from Classical Architecture, including their reliance on tempo, symmetry, and ratio in their design and their use of marble statues, pediments, balustrades, and column capitals. Baroque architecture is distinguished by its use of novel features such as elaborate geometry, expensive materials, vivid colours, and numerous carefully crafted details. Baroque design features a busier, more elaborate style intended to awe and impress locals. By contrast, Renaissance architecture is more subdued and straightforward, emphasising aesthetic uniformity. 

Below you’ll find visual comparisons highlighting the similarities and distinctions between Renaissance and Baroque styles of design. 

David by Michelangelo

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s David

Both of these sculptures feature David, who killed the monster Goliath in the Bible. The first work of art we encounter is David by Michelangelo. The sculpture by Michelangelo is graceful, poised, and well-balanced. David appears to be introspectively contemplating something in the background. Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s take on the same theme depicts a moving David aiming with his sling. This idea of heightened feeling, vitality, and motion is central to Bernini’s sculpture and other Baroque art and architecture forms.

San Giorgio Monastery, Venice

St. Nicholas Church, Prague

In the following illustration, the first picture shows the outside of the San Giorgio Monastery, located in Venice, Italy. It is a masterpiece of Venetian Renaissance architecture, designed by Andrea Palladio. 

Triangles and rectangles comprise most of the facade’s simplistic geometries, which adhere to a strict proportion system. The following picture shows St. Nicholas Church, located in the Mala Strana area of Prague. The front here takes cues from the Renaissance, but its design is far more intricate and dynamic. The facade pulsates in several various curves on the ground floor, while the elevation features dozens of varied elliptical arches. Compared to the more rigid and one-dimensional façade of Renaissance Buildings, employing many complex curves was a significant development in Baroque Style architecture.

Interesting Facts About Baroque Architecture You Should Know

What is Baroque Architecture?

• The term “baroque” originates from the Portuguese word “barocco,”  baroque meaning misshapen pearl.
• Baroque architecture is a highly ornate and decorative style that emerged in Italy in the late 16th century and spread across Europe.
• Characteristics of baroque architecture include curved lines, dramatic use of light and shadow, and elaborate embellishments such as sculptures and frescoes.
• When Did Baroque Architecture Arrive in India?
• The late baroque style of architecture arrived in India during the colonial period, with the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
• Some of the most famous examples of baroque architecture in India include the St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata, the St. Francis Church in Kochi, and the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.
• These buildings blend European baroque elements with traditional Indian architectural styles, creating a unique and visually stunning fusion.

Why is Baroque Architecture Popular in India Today?

• In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in baroque architecture in India, particularly in urban areas.
• Many real estate developers are incorporating elements of classical baroque style into their designs, as it adds a touch of grandeur and sophistication to their properties.
• This trend is especially popular among buyers who are looking for homes with a touch of history and old-world charm.

How Can You Incorporate Baroque Architecture into Your Home?

• If you’re interested in incorporating baroque architecture into your home, there are several ways to do so.
• Consider adding curved lines and dramatic lighting fixtures to your living room or bedroom.
• Use rich colours, such as gold and burgundy, materials used in baroque architecture to add depth and sophistication.
• Incorporate baroque-style furnishings, such as elaborate mirrors and chandeliers, to bring the look together.

With NoBroker’s interior décor services, you can transform your home into a baroque palace. Our team of experts can help you choose the right elements to bring the classical baroque style to life in your home.

Rococo and Late Baroque Style Architecture 

Rococo is a new architectural style that emerged at the end of the Baroque period. The Rococo style of architecture is much more showy and extravagant. Rococo architecture is characterised by the elaborate decoration of every available surface. Rococo is often considered a refined and modernised take on the Late Baroque. 

France was the birthplace of the Rococo style, which quickly spread across Europe. Many examples of Rococo architecture can be found in Germany. Two rooms from the main Royal Palace in Würzburg, Germany, are depicted above. The Würzburg Residenz is a prime example of the ostentatious style of Rococo Architecture. 

The Munich Residenz served as an urban palace for the Royal House of Bavaria, and the above image depicts the interior of this magnificent building. In Munich, Rococo rooms are built with one goal: to display as much gold leaf as possible. During the Rococo Era, the concept of ultimate excess was widely popular. The Rococo Munich Residenz takes the principles of Baroque architecture to a new level, yet you can still see examples of both styles in the city.

The Finest Baroque Architecture

The following list includes some of the masterpieces of baroque architecture that can be discovered anywhere on the planet.

1. Palace of Versailles, France

The Palace of Versailles is widely considered the most spectacular royal residence in the world. King Louis XIV of France, who reigned for more than 70 years between 1643 and 1715, commissioned its construction. The original structure at Versailles was a modest hunting lodge that Louis came to love; he later funded a vast enlargement of the property that resulted in the current palace. The Palace of Versailles, rather than Paris, some 12 miles (19 km) away, became the political centre of France after Louis XIV moved his court there. The palace’s historical significance led to its designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

2. Located in London, England, St. Paul’s Cathedral

The Anglican St. Paul’s Cathedral stands at the city’s highest point. Named after the first church there, constructed in 604 AD and dedicated to the Apostle Paul, the site now hosts other earlier churches. Christopher Wren, an early proponent of the English Baroque style, erected the structure as we knew it today in the 17th century. The building’s completion was part of the massive plan to rebuild London after the devastating Fire of London. 

From 1710 until 1963, it stood as the city’s tallest skyscraper; today, its dome is among the world’s highest. In all of the United Kingdom, only Liverpool Cathedral is larger than St. Paul’s Cathedral. The cathedral has hosted numerous historical events, such as the funerals of Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, and others. Peace services were conducted there to commemorate the end of both World Wars, Charles and Diana were married there, and Queen Victoria’s Jubilee was celebrated there.

3. St. Peter’s Square & The Baldacchino, Rome, Italy

Located in the middle of Rome, in Vatican City, lies St. Peter’s Square, also known as Piazza San Pietro. Historically, the layout of the square mirrored that of a Roman racetrack. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the most influential sculptors of the Baroque period, was responsible for its creation. Many of the fountains in Rome’s famous squares—including Piazza Navona and Piazza di Espana—were created by Bernini. The elliptical layout of St. Peter’s Square and the ornate baroque sculptures atop the colonnade are two examples of the square’s distinctive Baroque architecture. An antique Egyptian obelisk, one of several brought to Rome by ancient Roman emperors, stands in the precise middle of the piazza. 

The Baldacchino, one of Bernini’s most well-known works, stands just beneath the dome of St. Peter’s. Almost 100 feet (30 metres) in height, the Baldacchino is a bronze casting that stands tall. It’s supported by four Solomonic columns, hence the canopy size. During the Baroque Era, the Solomonic Column, also known as the Spiral Column, skyrocketed in popularity. These columns can be seen on the façade of numerous Baroque structures and in numerous Baroque altarpieces.

4. Hotel des Invalides, Paris, France 

The French phrase “Hotel des Invalides” literally translates to “House of the handicapped,” It is used to describe a collection of structures with a shared connection to France’s military history. It’s home to historical landmarks and museums, a hospital and the city’s tallest chapel for worshippers of all faiths. The former church has been converted into a memorial chapel honouring French military heroes like Napoleon. 

The French architect Libéral Bruan was tasked with the original design, and the suburban plain of Grenelle was chosen as the site. When finished, the facade stretched 196 metres, and the building contained at least 15 courtyards. In 1676, the chapel and church complex was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Architectural historians speculate that the chapel was meant to be the new burial place for the Bourbon Dynasty but that this plan was never implemented. Charles de La Fosse painted the baroque interior design of the dome.

5. Located in Russia’s St. Petersburg, the Winter Palace 

In 1708, Peter the Great had a palace constructed there to serve as his residence. This wooden structure was built in the Dutch architectural style. The original wooden house was demolished, and in 1711 they made a stone house. The ruins of the original stone structure were used to create the base for the Hermitage Theatre. After extensive restoration, parts of the historic palace are now accessible to the general public. Empress Anna Ioannovna was the first Peter the Great family member to undertake the palace’s restoration. 

He had only recently been appointed architect to the court, but he would become Russia’s preeminent exponent of the Baroque style. After its completion in 1735, Empress Elizabeth quickly had Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli called back to work on new additions to the palace. Over the next few years, the architect considered several proposals for expanding the current castle before deciding that a complete rebuild would be the best course of action. In 1754, the empress gave her approval of the final blueprints.

6. The Zwinger Palace, in Saxony, Germany 

The Zwinger Palace is another opulent structure from the Baroque period. When Louis XIV had the Palace of Versailles built, he essentially sparked an “arms race” among the leading European powers. To one-up the French and one another, Europe’s monarchs each erected their enormous palace. Augustus the Strong, the ruler of the German Electorate of Saxony from 1694 until he died in 1733, commissioned the construction of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden. The Zwinger suffered significant damage during World War II bombing raids on Dresden, although today, much of the original structure has been repaired and restored.

Baroque architecture was truly made to move people. It is something unique and eccentric that the spectator can’t help but admire the emotions behind. Modern baroque interior designs can be closely studied and observed if you visit various European countries. Please let our interior designers know if you like any particular element of this style. With NoBroker Interiors, you can rest assured that you get a whiff of mediaeval Europe right in front of you! Give us a call today to discuss this in detail.

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