Rococo Style

Sometimes called Late Baroque Rococo is commonly known for it's very theatrical feeling, asymmetrical ornaments and curves, soft colour palette and gilding. It came about in 1730s as a protest to more formal French Classicism. It's popularity though hadn't had a long run. By the end of the 18th century it started to decline very rapidly and by the beginning of 19th century it became obnoxious due to it's speciality.

 

 

Rococo Artists

Fracois Boucher Triumph of Venus

French painter that is known for it's idyllic and voluptuous style of paintings. Probably the most popular painter at the time.

 

Jean-Honore Fragonard The Swing

Another French painter that strikes with exuberance and hedonism. He produced over 600 works just in a few decades!

 

Jean-Marc Nattier Potrait of Madam Berthelot de Pleneuf

Yet another French painter. Mostly a portraitist and a miniaturist that has portrayed most of the ladies of the King Louis XV's court.

 

Antoine Watteau Embarkment of Cythera

French painter that is credited for inventing fete galantes. His vision catalysed the return of the public interest to colour and movement, revitalising the Baroque with Rococo.

 

Jean-Baptiste Pillement Landscape with Cattle

French painter that is mostly known for his exquisite and delicate landscapes. Though his fame came rather with the engravings of flora and fauna that were used for porcelain, textile, silver and so on.

 

Rococo Architecture

Rococo Architecture just like the Rococo style in general was charming, romantic and delicate. Rooms were oval in shape, asymmetrical ornaments often shaped after plants or shells. Gilding (putting a thing layer of gold on objects) was also a natural part of Rococo, same as pastel colour paintings full of light and brightness.

Rococo in France

Rococo in Italy

Italian Rococo has a similar feeling to a French one, but the usual ornaments become painted rather then made of metal or plaster. Sometimes very massive frescos were applied on the ceilings of palaces and cathedrals.

 

Rococo in Russia

In Russia the Rococo was introduced by Catherine the Great and used a lot to glorify the imperial country. This is where all the gold and massiveness in counter-play with simplistic backgrounds  comes from.

 

Rococo in Germany

German Rococo is considered to be more asymmetric than the original in France.  Every from and element dissolving into one another. Molding seems to have no fixed angles and flows in any direction.

 

 

Rococo vs Baroque

As Rococo style being an ascendant of the Baroque they seem very alike at first glance, but there is a few key differences:

• Rococo makes a big emphasis on asymmetry that creates a very theatrical feeling

• Asian inspired motives

• Flower and flora ornamentation become one the key elements in this style

• Warm pastel colours