Baroque and Rococo

Part of a series, which describes the social, political, religious and intellectual climate in which the visual arts developed in a particular period this book introduces Baroque art and architecture which flourished in Western Europe between the Renaissance and the age of neo-classicism. It originated in about 1520 and soon adopted special characteristics in France, Germany, Spain, England and the Netherlands. Leading architects, Bernini, Borromini, Fischer von Erlach and Wren produced such outstanding structures as St Peter's in Rome, Vienna's Karlskirche, St Paul's in London and the great palace of Versailles. Among the greatest painters of the period were Carvaggio, Carracci, Velazquez, Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Lorrain.