Rococo Architecture

Brainstorming
 Rococo Architecture
 the last phase of the baroque in the early eighteenth century in France, Austria
and south Germany.
 Although grew out of the preceding Baroque, it replaced Baroque
monumentality and classical organizational features with a more
intimate style.
 intimacy did not suggest social familiarity between classes; however,
for the very ornate, richly gilded Rococo interiors are purely aristocratic.
 Developed in the Paris townhouses of the French aristocracy
 Rococo Architecture
 is characterized by asymmetrical arabesque, the use of c and S curves
 much use of rounded corners and sinuous curves.
 Curves were multiplied both in plan and in elevation.
 use of scroll, nymphs, wreaths and shells in stucco and paper Mache.
 Curves were multiplied both in plan and in elevation.

Rococo decorations interior and facade

 Rococo Architecture
 architectural lines were broken and over flowed by sculpture
 The prevalence of shell work or rocaille led to the designation Rococo.
 the interiors, which received a greater architectural focus during this
time, have curved walls and rounded ceilings.
Rococo Architecture
 The pompous apparatus of column and entablature was
banished from interiors, and replaced by a more intimate
treatment with panels, cartouches* and floriated scrolls.

Cartouche- with out script

cartouche*: An ornate painted panel on which an inscription can be written.

 Rococo Architecture
The Hôtel de Soubise, 1730s by Germain Boffrand
 oval-shaped room, the visitor is greeted by an elaborate display of
gilded stucco decoration on the walls and ceiling, with light from
the chandeliers reflected off the mirrors that line the walls.
 No straight lines are evident in the room
 Rococo Architecture
Benedictine Monastery Church, Austria 1702
 This church reveals a gently curved façade with rounded twin towers.
 Inside the church nave, the piers undulate inward and outward, creating
a rhythmic vista toward the elaborately decorated high altar.
Rococo Architecture
Residenz Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany, by Balthasar Neumann, 1719–1744
 Windows on the walls and round clerestory windows allow dappling light to reflect off
the crystal chandeliers*. Modeled on the Baroque Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, the
Kaisersaal is more ornate and playful in its decoration.

Chandelier*: decorative hanging light with several branched parts on which are holders for candles or light
bulbs
Rococo Architecture
Residenz Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany, by Balthasar Neumann, 1719–1744
 The invited guest would be entertained in the Kaisersaal, or Imperial Hall, an oval-
shaped room lavishly decorated with marble floors, gilded wood,
 stucco walls, and an intricately curved, vaulted ceiling featuring pastel frescoes painted