Through the centuries art became increasingly complex, until in the 17th century it reached its summit in two distinct trends: Baroque and Classicism.

Violent movement, strong emotion, and dramatic lighting and coloring characterize Baroque. Vermeer, Caravaggio, Lorrain, Rembrandt, and Rubens were among the Baroque movement. The classicism that flourished in the period 1750-1830 is often known as Neoclassicism, in order to distinguish it, perhaps unnecessarily, from the classical architecture of ancient Rome or of the Renaissance. The center of international Neoclassicism was Rome, from the 1740s on. It was a gathering place for talented young artists from all over Europe, virtually every figure who was to play a significant role in the movement passed through that city.