The Baroque period began in the 17th century, just after the Reformation period. The definition of baroque in Italian is another word for "barocco", or an irregularly shaped pearl, as a jeweler would define it. There were many important artists throughout this period, but before the Baroque period began, it all started with Martin Luther and his movement. Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants began when Martin Luther annexed the 95 Theses in 1517. He protested when the Catholic Church corrupted and thus the Protestant Reformation was created. However, the Catholic Church began with the Baroque when it initiated "its own internal reform to both eliminate corruption and clearly define its doctrines and theology" (McKay). The Church believed that the Reformation should help people better understand their faith and educate them, although "the Council of Trent declared that art should be used to explain the deep dogmas of the faith to all, and not only to the educated” (McKay). The Council of Trent said and believed that the work of art should inspire others by making them feel what is happening, not just make the viewer think about the work, and this is what became known as name of baroque period. They believed that by expressing everything through art, this corruption that existed would be cleansed or repaired on its own. Baroque art and sculptures expressed many feelings and emotions related to the Bible. The sculptures and paintings of this period were balanced, referenced ancient Greece and Rome, dramatic and emotional. Contrast and colors were either dark to light or light to dark (chiaroscuro). There were many artists in the 17th century; many of these included famo...... middle of paper ...... Artemisia continued to paint, following the techniques of Caravaggio, painting "Judith and her maid and with the head of Holoferness", "Minerva", "Cleopatra", "Self-portrait as an allegory of painting", and many others. Although Artemisia went through a lot to become a famous painter and gain many friends in high places, she also interpreted her relationship with her paintings from her own struggle "to claim her rightful place in an art world dominated by oppressive men" (Stokstad & Cothren 726). In the 17th century, many artists joins the period of Baroque art, painting vivid and emotional paintings referencing the Bible Whether artists like Artemisia had a horrible story behind her paintings or like Caravaggio who was a wonderful painter who started as a man with no money. and ended up being a famous Baroque painter whom many artists took care of..