In response to the political and societal change of the reformation and the counter-reformation the Baroque was a calculated image campaign by the catholic church to keep and retains its members, power, and influence. The byproduct of this cultural campaign/branding is a redesigning of how cities are planned, built, and structured. To make itself attractive the church commissioned grandiose buildings, sculptures, paintings and piazzas to promote itself and show off its power.
How a murderer invented Baroque painting
1571-1610Great painter, perfect entrepreneur
1577-1640Foppish men, elegant women, and cavalier style
1599-1641Candle Master
1579-1650A Caravaggisti embraces silence
1593-1652Heads will roll
1593-1656A mysterious woman paints hyperrealistic brunch
1589-1657Harnessing the power of the diagonal line
1579-1657The apex of Baroque portraiture
1599-1660Jovial portraitist forgotten for 200 years
1609-1660The mysterious death of a young art teacher
1638-1665Your sins and your good deeds will leave a mark
1606-1669Travel, socialize, paint lemons and beans
1600-1670Can you cheat at art?
1632-1675Making marble move
1598-1680The original peaches-as-butts emoji
1610-1696Mary brings home the bacon
1633-1699Making a living from etchings
1720-1778The birth of science out of fire
1734-1797