The baroque era

The Baroque era was a period of artistic style that flourished in Europe from roughly 1600 to 1750, characterized by drama, grandeur, and emotional intensity. Originating in Italy, it spanned music, art, architecture, and literature, and was heavily influenced by the Catholic Counter-Reformation as a way to inspire awe and religious devotion, while absolute rulers also used it to project power. The term, which comes from the Portuguese word for "oddly shaped pearl," initially carried a negative connotation but is now used to describe the style's ornate and elaborate nature.