Complex sentence: It first became popular in sixteenth-century Europe, becoming less popular during the reign of Louis XV and again during the French Revolution; it again gained popularity in the nineteenth century, reaching the zenith of its popularity in the Victorian era.
Split into simpler sentences: It first became popular in sixteenth-century Europe, losing popularity during the reign of Louis XV and again during the French Revolution. It gained popularity again in the nineteenth century, reaching the zenith of its popularity in the Victorian era.