In 1517, more specifically October 31th, there was a break within the Church. Martin Luther (a German Augustinian monk), started the Protestant Revolution, by nailing a 95 point manifest on the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, in response to Pope Leo X decision to sell indulgences.
The main difference between their art style is what they wanted to convey with it.
Protestants focus on the relationship that people have with God, on a daily basis. It is a humbler approach to religion, showing that God's creation is beautiful as well and must be respected. Catholic concepts such as Saints, the Immaculate Conception, the Transfiguration of Christ, depictions of the Pope, were left aside. Reason for this was that Protestants believed that salvation, is only a matter of God.
Examples of this doctrine are: The Milkmaid by Jan Vermeer (1657); Woman holding a balance by Johannes Vermeer (1665).
On the other hand, Catholics launched the Catholic Counter-Reformation Art, by the Council of Trent in 1563, to further differentiate Catholicism and Protestantism. The goal was to minimize the Protestant Revolution
Their style was based in the mysteries of the Faith, which included the Virgin Mary, Saints, Transubstantiation, Cruxification, etc. Intense spiritualism and a clear message that ordinary people could understand was also a characteristic of Catholic Baroque.
One of its greatest exponents was Caravaggio (painter). Examples of his paintings are: The Entombment of Christ (1601-3); St. Matthew and the Angel (1602)
