| French Baroque - The History | | | | Italian Baroque. Under Louis XIV, France |
| The art and architecture style prevalent in Europe | | | | developed its own art style, termed as French |
| from late 16th century to early 18th century is | | | | Baroque. Its onset is closely associated with the |
| known as Baroque artistic style. Its widespread | | | | famous proposal by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo |
| popularity is closely associated with Roman | | | | Berini to redesign the east front of Louvre. Louis |
| Catholic Revival. As opposed to the sobriety of | | | | XIV rejected the proposal, as it was not in |
| Renaissance Art, this art form used intense | | | | 'French' taste. Louis' emphasis on producing luxury |
| colors, lubricious lines to depict the scenarios full of | | | | goods in France, instead of importing the same, |
| drama and action. These paintings were simple | | | | led to the better quality of artisans in the country. |
| and obvious, having direct appeal on the emotions | | | | All the schools of art, including architecture, |
| of the observer. This was greatly encouraged by | | | | painting, and sculpture, were taken to a new |
| Catholic Church to connect art to illiterate | | | | height during this phase. |
| common person, contrary to the Mannerism of | | | | The Artworks |
| the 16th century, meant only for the intellectual | | | | The Palace of Versailles being transformed from a |
| and the well-versed section of people. Due to its | | | | hunting lodge to the official residence of the King |
| stark deviation from French Classicism, this form | | | | is the epitome of glorification of French Baroque. |
| of art came to be known as 'Baroque' - French | | | | Lot of famous paintings from Louis XIV's |
| translation of Portuguese 'Barroco,' meaning | | | | collection, such as Les Bergers d'Arcadie and The |
| irregular pearl or false jewel. | | | | Judgement of Solomon (1649) by Nicolas Poussin |
| French Baroque style appeared in early 17th | | | | (1594-1665), Seaport at Sunset (1639) by Claude |
| century, in the reign of Louis XIII and Marie de | | | | Lorrain (1600-82), Peasant Meal (1642) by Le Nain, |
| Medici. However, during that period, this art form | | | | and Happy Family (1642) by Louis Le Nain are |
| had distinct influence from Dutch, Flemish, and | | | | maintained at Louvre Museum, Paris, France. |