Portuguese Colonial

Generally refers to the style of art and architecture in Portuguese possessions in south and east Asia and in Brazil during the 16th and 18th centuries. The term usually is not applied to art produced in later Portuguese holdings in Africa. The style combines elements of Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neo-Classical styles from Europe with original motifs that developed in the colonies, to produce a style characterized by lyrical elegance. In architecture the style is typically seen in fortresses and churches.