Rococo art developed under King Louis XV of France in the first half of the 18th century and reflected the lifestyle of the aristocracy during a period of economic prosperity. While similar to Baroque art in some ways, Rococo art focused on intimacy, comfort and pleasure rather than displaying power. Rococo architecture featured ornate interiors with natural lighting and gardens, and paintings depicted mythological scenes and "fêtes galantes" showing aristocrats enjoying parties and social gatherings.

1. Rococo Art
(First half of 18th Century)

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

4. ROCAILLE

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

6. Architecture
Hôtel Matignon
(Paris)

7. Architecture
Hôtel Matignon (Paris)

8. Architecture
Wurzburg Palace (Germany): home of the bishops of Warzburg.

9. Architecture
Wurzburg Palace
(Germany): home of the
bishops of Warzburg.

10. Architecture
Church of Wurzburg Palace (Germany): home of the bishops of Warzburg.

11. The Bather (Falconet)
82cm
Sculpture
• Interior spaces decorated with small-scale sculptures
Menacing Cupid (Falconet)

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

13. The Embarkation for Cythera - Watteau

14. The Pleasures of Dance - Watteau

15. Madame de
Pompadour
- Boucher

16. The Toilette of Venus -
Boucher

17. The Swing -
Fragonard