Italian Baroque interior is a decorative and artistic style that was prominent in the period between the late 16th and mid-18th centuries in Italy. The style first spread across Europe and is regarded as being the first to have a worldwide impact that lasts to this day. Featuring rich, ornate and often exaggerated decorations, with gilding and multiple fine details, it focused on symmetry and precision whilst being highly decorative. Baroque is defined as dynamic, theatrical and dramatic with its principal feature being excess which was used as sign of power and greatness.
The Roman catholic church was the main driver of the Baroque style. It was a response to the asceticism of the Protestant movement that was then sweeping Europe and represented a break with the Renaissance style of balanced proportions and classical elements. The goal was to create richer and more magnificent buildings, furniture and ornaments to highlight the power and wealth of the church. Furniture became massive and highly ornate often featuring detailed carved plant motifs as well as using nymphs, cherubs and angels as decorative elements.
In paintings and wall decorations the Baroque style included the use of vivid colours and dramatic contrasts. Oversized mirrors with intricate gilt frames are also a common decorative element of this period as well as richly woven textiles, brightly coloured wallpaper, bronze sculptures and massive chandeliers. Extravagance is key to this style as well as the use of almost excessive decoration.
A key element of Italian Baroque interior decoration is the raw materials that are used in this style. Whilst art and furniture objects were often made of rare or precious materials, with the birth of modern science and the colonisation of other cultures, new exotic materials became available including, for example, porcelain and lacquer from East Asia. Techniques such as marquetry (which involves laying multiple veneers of different coloured wood onto surfaces to form shapes and patterns that was developed by the Dutch) also became highly prized.
The Baroque style is essentially rich and opulent using highly decorative elements for all aspects of design. An important feature of this style was the way in which it unified the visual arts (including painting, architecture and sculpture) to reflect a holistic approach to design so that each of these element conveyed its design philosophy. Baroque elements, large and small, can often be found in modern interior design and its influence continues to this day
