A madrigal is a type of part song for several voices, usually unaccompanied. It originated in Italy during the Renaissance period and was popularized in England in the 16th century. Madrigals are typically written for four to six voices and often feature intricate counterpoint and complex harmonies. They are usually composed in a light, lyrical style and often include word painting, which is the use of musical devices to illustrate the meaning of the text.