Baroque was born in Italy, and later adopted in France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain.

1. Baroque Painting
Originating from the 17th-century Italy, Baroque style represented the last light
beam of the Renaissance, absorbing the concept of humanism and
individualism from the renaissance on the one hand, developing its own, new
features on the other. The term “baroque” allegedly came from the Portuguese
word “baroco”, or the Spanish word “barreuco”, meaning random-shaped
pearls. Later, this term was used to describe anything bizarre, exotic, and out
of the mainstream. Quite naturally, from the very beginning, the term
“baroque” had been treated with a negative sense and this trend lasted until
the late 19th century, when the book the Renaissance and Baroque was published,
which gave a comprehensive description of baroque style and made it a serious
and independent artistic trend. From then on, more and more critics set out to
make more in-depth research on this artistic style and people's understanding
of it deepens in the process. Main baroque artistic figures include Diego
Velázquez, Daniel Schultz, John Michael Wright, Simon Vouet, Jan Wyck, Paul
Troger, and Franz Joseph Spiegler.
Its main characteristics are as follows. Firstly, it is quite extravagant, encompassing both
the religious ideals and a touch of the hedonist pursuit. Secondly and closely related, it is
filled with emotions. Instead of depicting a serene and tranquil scene, the baroque artists
prefer to employ heavy color and their wildest imagination to create a romantic, exuberant
and grandiose scene. Their focus shifts from the rationality to the freedom. Third is their

2. emphasis on movement and variability, which are the soul of baroque style. The variability
of light is a vital importance. Finally, profoundly influenced by the Renaissance, in a
baroque painting, human characters unexceptionally play a pivotal role in the painting
structure.
Artisoo Oil Painting Blog
Reference: http://www.artisoo.com/OilPaintingBlog/baroque-painting/