Which word completes 'Massive and ______' as used to describe Baroque furniture?

• A. curvilinear
• B. ornate
• C. sleek
• D. rectilinear

Answer: (D)

Baroque furniture is defined by a sense of grandeur, weight, and lavish ornamentation. Completing the phrase with ornate fits best because it directly conveys the opulent decoration that characterizes Baroque pieces. The idea of something being massive speaks to the heavy, monumental forms, while ornate highlights the intricate details, gilding, and embellishment typical of the style.

While curvilinear describes the curved lines often found in Baroque design, the common way to express the style in a concise descriptor combines massiveness with ornament, making ornate the more natural fit for that expression. The other options—sleek suggests minimalism, rectilinear suggests straight, angular forms, and curvilinear emphasizes shape over decoration—don’t align as well with the familiar phrase used to describe Baroque furniture.