The Baroque Era: History, Background, Philosophy

The Baroque period lasted from the late 1500's to the early 1700's. It developed as ideas during the Renaissance took a turn toward counter-reformation. Just as the Renaissance was known as the rebirth, the Baroque era could be compared to adolescence: a very contradictory and emotional time.

The Counter-Reformation was spurred by the Roman Catholic Church because it was losing members to Protestantism. In order to gain them back, the Church reformed, in some ways, to universalize its teachings and audience. (In the next post, you'll see how the Church used the humanities, especially art, to include and teach all people.) During this time period, Catholicism seemed to be competing with other sects to make developments that would reach the biggest audience, hence the formation of the term "Counter-Reformation."

The Baroque Era was also known for the expansion of emotional traits in literature, music, and the arts. Classical form was rejected for more movement in paintings, more dynamics in music, and more speculation in literature. This was a period of rapid change.

The philosophies on life were also changing at this time. Men such as Locke, Pascal, and Spinoza were all active during the middle of the Baroque period. Another man, named Rene Descartes, was also famous for changing the way the world thought and for his tragic death. His famous philosohpy was, "I think, therefore I am." His death occurred one day when he was waiting in a friend's sitting room. A maid asked him, "May I offer you some wine," to which Descartes replied, "I think not," and vanished.

(Just as a disclaimer, Descartes most likely died of pneumonia, but I had you going for a second, didn't I?)