Previous Topics in History of Western

Architecture
1. Mesopotamian Architecture
2. Egyptian Architecture
3. Greek Architecture
4. Roman Architecture
5. Romanesque Architecture
6. Early Gothic Architecture
7. Renaissance Architecture
8. Baroque Architecture
9. Rococo Architecture
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3
Rococo
Architecture
-BY JAGMOHAN SINGH
Rococo Architecture-
Introduction
The word is seen as a combination of the French
rocaille (stone) and coquilles (shell), due to reliance on
these objects as decorative motifs.

The term may also be a combination of the Italian

word “barocco" (an irregularly shaped pearl, possibly
the source of the word "baroque') and the French
“rocaille" (a popular form of garden or interior
ornamentation using shells and pebbles) .

Rococo styles are found throughout France, Germany,

Austria, Eastern Europe, and Russia.
History
An 18th-century artistic movement and style, affecting many aspects of the arts including painting,
sculpture, architecture, interior design, decoration, literature, music, and theatre.
lt developed in Paris as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the
Baroque, especially of the Palace of Versailles.
This style of architecture was popular between 1720-1789, elaborate version of Baroque, also referred
to as Late Baroque. Rococo rooms were decorated as a total package including furniture, artwork,
mirrors and tapestries that enhance the architecture.
The style is most associated with the aristocrats of the time. First growing quickly in France, this style is
both graceful and artistically elegant and more concerned with indulgence and appreciating life. This
lighter and graceful style was favored by Kings Louis XV and Louis XVI. Rococo architecture was
completely in harmony with the lavishness of Louis XV’s rule and is seen as a prelude to the French
revolution.
Characteristics
*Elaborate curves and scrolls
*Intricate patterns

*Delicate details
«Complex, asymmetrical shapes
Light, pastel colors
Stressed asymmetry

Had less emphasis on religion

Was very decorative and used shell & plants like curves
Colors were pale and considered more “classy”
Included walls that were flat, smooth and rectangular in shape
Walls had carvings and gold gilding over door frames
Besides intricate designs & detail, it also brought many
improvements to architecture; sanitation was improved,
chimneys were made more efficient and rooms were better
organized to offer more privacy.
 Architects.
Since it was seen as a “French Style”, Rococo architecture was never really adopted in Great Britain.

Popular architects of the time include:

1. Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who was an Italian born architect that lived most of his life in Russia with his father, who was also
a famous Italian sculptor. Most notable works are the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg and Catherine Palace.

2. Philip de Lange was born in France but was a leading architect in Denmark and the Netherlands.

3. Matthaus Daniel Poppelmann was a German born architect who helped rebuild Dresden after a massive fire in 1685. His most
famous work is Dresden Castle.

4. Asam Brothers were sculptors, Stuckists, painters, and architects, who working together, became one of the most influential
ambassadors of the Rococo style. Probably their most famous work is Church of St. John Nepomuk, also known as, Asamkirche,
which is located in Munich.

5. Dominikus and Johann Zimmermann are Bavarian architects, painters and stuccoists whose famous works include the Weiskirche
and Steinhausen Church.
St Johann Nepomuk, Germany
St. Johann Nepomuk, better known
as the Asam Church is a church in
Munich, southern Germany, built
from 1733 to 1746 by the brothers
Egid Quirin Asam and Cosmas
Damian Asam as their private
church.
Due to resistance of the citizens, the
brothers were forced to make the
church accessible to the public. The
church is considered to be one of
the most important buildings of the
southern German Late Baroque.
St Johann Nepomuk, Germany
The Baroque facade swings slightly convex outward.

lt was built in a confined space, the property is just

22 by 8m.

The 2 builders who were able to unite in the 2-story

space architecture, painting and sculpture in
harmony. Especially the indirect lighting in the choir
area is very well done: hidden behind the cornice
window the Trinity figures are illuminated effective
from behind.
St Johann Nepomuk, Germany
The interior is divided vertically into 3 sections.

The lowermost portion of the benches for the church visitors is

kept relatively dark and in the design symbolizes the suffering of
the world. The second section, located above, is kept white and
blue, and reserved for the emperor. The uppermost portion of the
indirect and hidden illuminated ceiling painting is dedicated to
God and eternity.

‘The ceiling fresco "Life of Saint Nepomuk" is considered one of

the masterpieces by Asam. The high altar of the Church is framed
by four spiral columns. These four columns are used as a
reference to the four-Bernini columns over the grave of St. Peter in
St. Peter's in Rome.

At the top is God, the Saviour. Below the tabernacle, a relic of John
of Nepomuk is kept. Two angels, sculpted by Ignaz Gunther, flank
the gallery altar and were added at a later date.
St Johann Nepomuk Church, Germany
 Queluz National Palace, Portugal
One of the last great Rococo buildings to be designed in
Europe, the palace was conceived as a summer retreat.

in 1794, it became the official residence of the Portuguese

prince, John VI, and his family and remained so until the
Royal Family fled to the Portuguese colony of Brazil in 1807
following the French invasion of Portugal.

From the beginning of the 18th century many foreign

artists and architects were employed in Portugal to satisfy
the needs of the newly enriched aristocracy; they brought
with them classical ideas of architecture which derived from
the Renaissance.

ln its design, Queluz is a revolt against the earlier, heavier,

Italian influenced Baroque which preceded the Rococo style
throughout Europe.