Barokiske

Barokiske describes elements that belong to the Baroque period or imitate its style. In Norwegian art history, barokke or barokiske forms refer to works roughly dated from the 17th to the early 18th century, with regional variation in dating. The Baroque originated in Italy and spread across Europe, often linked to the Counter-Reformation and to royal power, remaining influential into the early 18th century.

Characteristic features include movement, drama, and emotional intensity; ornate decoration; and strong contrast between light and shadow. In architecture, this yields dynamic plans, grand facades, and richly decorated interiors with stucco and fresco. In painting and sculpture, figures are posed with vigor and dramatic lighting. In music, the Baroque emphasizes contrast, basso continuo, ornamentation, and forms such as the concerto, fugue, and opera.

Regional variation was pronounced: Italian and French Baroque tended toward grandeur, while northern styles often blended with local traditions and contexts, including religious influences. The term barokiske is thus used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian contexts to describe works belonging to or imitating this stylistic tradition.