Western History 126: What were some of the important art styles of the 17th and 18th centuries?

The Art of this period is characterized by three movements: Baroque (1600-1750), Rocco (1699-1780) and Neoclassicism (1750-1850). A fourth movement Romanticism began in the late 18^th century  (1780) but is more widely associated with the first half of the 19^th century.

Baroque art and architecture is associated with ornate art that presupposes a richness of grandeur. It is characterized by a stylistic complexity of an intellectual appeal. Contrasts with light and dark play a key role in works that convey a strong energy. Leading artists in this style include Caravaggio, Nicolas Poussin, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt von Rijn and  Johannes Vermeer.

Baroque Art source: the culturetrip.com

Rocco (or the art of the late Baroque Period) made use of more pastel colours, curves, asymmetry and gilding. It was a reaction style to the more formal use of geometric structure and includes the works of Antoine Watteau and Francois Boucher. The style influenced both sculpture and furniture design.

Rocco Art source: artsy.net

The Neoclassicism movement drew heavily from the art of antiquity with its reverence for imagery of the past. Harmony,  simplicity and proportion were important with modern themes often being reset into a classical setting. The Italian sculpture Antonio Canova and the paintings of Jacques-Louis David and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres fall into this category.

Neoclassical Art source: the artstory.org

English Artists of the 18^th century seem to fall into a category of their own. Thomas Gainsborough was famous for his landscapes while Joshua Reynolds emphasized the portrait.

Joshua Reynolds landscape source: all-art.org

Gainsborough's famous Blue Boy source: Visual Arts Encyclopedia