European Monarchies and the Baroque Artistic Movement

Absolute Monarchy in Western Europe

Absolute monarchy came to predominate in Western Europe. It was called absolute because the crown held all the authority he or she wanted. They did not allow representative bodies that were able to limit their power. They controlled the government and economy of their kingdom and expanded the army to increase their control.

The Rise of Authoritarian Monarchy

In an authoritarian monarchy, rulers forced the nobility to accept their authority. However, these monarchs still showed respect to institutions that were able to limit their power, such as the Cortes in Spain or the Estates General in France. They implemented various measures to govern their kingdoms more effectively:

• Unified all the territories that were under their control.
• Established administrative unity for the entire kingdom.
• Created royal armies to end their dependence on the nobility for military support.

Development of Parliamentary Monarchy

In some instances, absolute monarchy was replaced by a republic under the control of the Parliamentarian commander Oliver Cromwell. After his death, the monarchy was restored. In this parliamentary monarchy, the monarch's powers were limited by the Parliament, which stated that the monarch could not impose taxes without Parliament's consent.

Authoritarian Governance and Unity

Rulers forced the nobility to accept their authority. The monarchs had respect for institutions that were able to limit their power, such as the Cortes in Spain or the Estates General in France. They implemented various measures to govern their kingdoms more effectively. They unified all the territories that were under their control, established administrative unity for the entire kingdom, and created royal armies to end their dependence on the nobility for military support.

Characteristics of Baroque Art

Baroque Art is characterized by natural forms and abundant decorative elements that create a sensation of drama and movement.

Baroque Architecture

This style features curved façades and elaborate decoration. Buildings typically included windows and medallions.

Baroque Sculpture

Sculptures featured human figures in dynamic poses with highly expressive faces.

Baroque Painting

Paintings were large and colorful. In palaces, they often depicted historical or mythological themes. In churches, the primary subjects were depictions of Christ.