'''Baroque''' was an XVII seventeenth century art movement that emerged originated in [[Italy]]. The Baroque was stylistically complex, even contradictory. At this era Caravaggio’s dramatic intensity was appreciated, but his realism was seen by some as unacceptably vulgar. The Baroque painters focused on representing scenes of heroes, mythology and [[Catholic]] themes. [http://www.conservapedia.com/Image:Rembrandt_Self_Portrait.jpg Portraiture] was also an important subject among Baroque painters.
[[Image:Caravaggio The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.jpg|right|thumb|Caravaggio, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.]]
Main Baroque painters were: [[Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio]], The [[Carracci]] Family (Agostino, Annibale and their cousin Ludovico), [[Peter Paul Rubens]], [[Rembrandt|Rembrandt van Rijn]], [[Jan Vermeer]], [[José de Ribera]], [[Francisco de Zurbaran]], [[Diego Velázquez]], [[Bartolome Murillo]], [[Josefa de Óbidos]] and [[Frans Hals]]. These painters used exaggerated motion, space, detail and chiaroscuro. This style shows also solidity and grandeur.
The Baroque period is also known for a great expansion in classical music. During this period, the piano became more prominent and began to replace the harpsichord as an orchestral instrument. Baroque composers include GF Handel, Vivaldi, and Johann Sebastian Bach, who represents the ultimate in Baroque music.
== See also ==