Rococo Period

1715-1780

Note: PPTs are

only for reference
1
 Rococo
•The term rococo comes from the French rocaille, "rock-work".

•Based in France, Rococo was an art style of 18th-century painting

and decoration characterized by lightness, delicacy, and elaborate
ornamentation.

•It portraits opulence, grace, playfulness, and lightness in contrast to

the heavier themes and darker colors of the earlier Baroque period.

•Most often used in interior design, painting, architecture, and

sculpture.

•The style appealed to the senses rather than intellect, stressing

beauty over depth.

2
3
 Art History
•The Rococo style is considered to be the end of the Baroque period.

•Rococo developed first in the decorative arts and interior design .

4
•Louis XIV's desire to glorify his dignity and the magnificence of France had been
well served by the monumental and formal qualities of most seventeenth-century
French art.

•With the death of Louis XIV and rise of the middle class, the high society in Paris
became the pinnacle of fashion.

•Rococo was manifested out of this new era of thought where society abandoned
the formality of the earlier years and began pursuing personal amusement and
happiness.

•This attitude was continued with the following reign of Louis XV in 18th century.

•Louis XV's succession brought a change in the court artists and general artistic
fashion.

•By the end of the old king's reign, rich Baroque designs were giving way to
lighter elements with more curves and natural patterns.

5
Rococo in different
artistic modes

6
Furniture and decorative objects
•Rococo style took pleasure in asymmetry, this
practice of leaving elements unbalanced for effect is
called ‘contraste’.
•Furniture was lighthearted, physically and visually.
•Symbol of status.
•Metalwork, porcelain figures, frills and especially
furniture rose to new pre-eminence.
• Mahogany was widely used in furniture
construction due to its strength.
•Use of mirrors hung above mantels became ever
more popular.
•Carved wood panels, called ‘boiserie’ and inlaid
wood designs on furniture.

7
In a full-blown Rococo design, like the Table d'appartement (1730), by German
designer J. A. Meissonnier, working in Paris . Apron, legs, stretcher have all
been integrated into a flow of opposed c-scrolls and "rocaille." The knot of the
stretcher shows the asymmetrical "contraste" that was a Rococo innovation.

8
9
10
11
 Interior Architecture
• The architect uses some classical elements - round arches, cornices, pilasters
- and the classical principle of symmetry.
• Typical elements were arabesques, S shapes, C shapes, reverse C shapes and
natural plant forms.

12
• Forms are expressed with abstract
ornament using flaming, leafy or
shell-like textures in asymmetrical
sweeps and flourishes and broken
curves.
• Walls, ceiling, furniture, and works of
metal and porcelain present a unified
•Silver
ensemble.
or gold gilt showed to advantage against white or pastel backgrounds
on walls.
• The Rococo palette is softer and paler
•Mirrors were
than the richused to break
primary upand
colors the dark
surface and reflect the gilt and the
glittering crystal
tonalities chandeliers.
favored in Baroque tastes.
• Silver or gold gilt showed to
advantage against white or pastel
backgrounds on walls.
• Mirrors were used to break up the
surface and reflect the gilt and the
glittering crystal chandeliers.

13
14
15
 Painting
• Though Rococo originated in the
purely decorative arts, the style
showed clearly in painting.
• Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721)
considered as the first great Rococo
painter.
• Rococo painters used delicate colors
and curving forms, decorating their
canvases with myths of love.
• Portraiture was also popular among
Rococo painters.
• Landscapes were pastoral and often
depicted the leisurely outings of
aristocratic couples.

16
Pilgrimage to Cythera by Jean-Antoine Watteau

17
18
 Sculpture
• Étienne-Maurice Falconet (1716–
1791) is widely considered one of the
best representatives of French
Rococo.

• The style was best expressed through

delicate porcelain sculpture rather
than imposing marble statues.

• The themes of love and gaiety were

reflected in sculpture, as were
elements of nature, curving lines and
asymmetry.

19
20
Rococo inspired

21
22
Foot wear

23
Hair styles

24
Rococo stamps

25
Thank You

26