Who emerged as patrons in the baroque period?

During the Baroque period, prominent patrons included the Catholic Church, monarchies, and wealthy aristocrats. The Church commissioned grand works to convey religious themes and inspire devotion, leading to masterpieces by artists like Caravaggio and Bernini. Monarchs, such as Louis XIV of France, also supported the arts to demonstrate power and cultural supremacy, while affluent nobility sought to showcase their wealth and status through commissioned art and architecture. This patronage significantly influenced the development and stylistic direction of Baroque art and architecture.