2. INTRO
• “rococo” : an aristocratic, refined, and frivolous style
– Term began to be used in the 18th century
– Had a negative connotation for a long time
• The Rococo style developed under the reign of Louis XV of
France
• Rococo art reflected the new attitude towards the life of
the aristocracy and high bourgeoisie (enlightenment
values, pleasure, comfort, and elegance) in an era of
economic prosperity.
3. INTRO, cont’d.
• Some consider Rococo art simply a type of Baroque art
because they share so many characteristics. However, the
function of each one is different:
– Baroque: propaganda art to show the power and grandeur of the
Monarchy and the Church
– Rococo: art that reflects the very life of an aristocratic society,
refined and hedonistic
• Mid 18th century: exhaustion from the excess of
decoration and the search for the classical, which led to
the development of the Neoclassical
5. Architecture
Exterior: Baroque structures
Interior: experimentation with new style, excessive decoration
Focus on comfort and intimacy rather than display of homeowner’s
power
- More comfort and practicality in layout
- Houses often surrounded by gardens or a natural park
- Focus on lighting
- Natural light -- use of door-windows
- Mirrors and lamps to add light
12. Painting
• A fundamental part of the interior decoration of bourgeousie and aristocratic
residences
• Small paintings were preferred to large portraiture
• Paintings were lighter and brighter and had less serious themes
• Portraits in familiar attitudes and environments
• Mythological scenes of love between gods and heroes
• “fêtes galantes”: aristocratic characters, with rich silk dress, relaxing in
lush landscapes, always portraying an easy life of enjoyment of parties
and social gatherings
