Later on Baroque art differs from Mannerist. They return to clarity with their added sense of intense drama, movement, and emotional realism. The Baroque used “theatricality and strong contrasts of light and shadow” to make religious stories persuasive. They reflected the Catholic Church goals.
Caravaggio’s Calling of Saint Matthew uses a dramatic beam of light. Everyday figures created a moment that feels spiritual and grounding.
Overall, High Renaissance expressed confidence, Mannerism expressed instability and elite taste, and Barque expressed religious urgency and emotional engagement.