We all have our favorite periods of art, but for me it fell in the times of Baroque and Rococo from 1600 through 1750. Of course, the time of Rococo was also during the time when Baroque was still in favor, and some say that Rococo was a playful tempestuous offshoot of Baroque. But the reasons why these art forms appeal to me is that they celebrated humanity in all of its glory, even if they were tinged by the controls of the church. The vibrancy of colors and movement of style exuded a feast for the senses. Whether it was painting, sculpture, or architecture, the pieces created during these periods were bursting with an exuberance for life and all that it had to offer. It also helped that the artists from these times had generous benefactors in the wealthy elites that allowed for so much art to come into being. That is, as we all know, until their time of rule came to an end. Here are some of my favorites:
Bernini – Ecstasy of St. Teresa (from Wikipedia)
Church of St. Yves at La Sapienza, Rome (from Wikipedia)
Allegory of Music by Francois Boucher (from National Gallery of Art)
The Setting of the Sun by Francois Boucher (from Wikipaintings.org)
