By 1650, the extensive use of gold leaf in Baroque church interiors became a hallmark of the artistic style, creating dramatic and opulent spaces. This gilding reflected the wealth and power of the Church, as well as the era's aesthetic values. The lavish use of gold in religious architecture served to inspire awe and reverence among worshippers, reinforcing the Church's influence in society.

The use of gold leaf in Baroque church interiors around 1650 mirrored the ornate language and divine ecstasy found in metaphysical and Baroque poetry. Poets began to draw parallels between the visual splendor of religious art and the transcendent qualities of their verses.