MODULE 1.10 ROCOCO COLORS

rococo

• rocaille and cocaille, which literally means “pebble” and “shell work” but it referred especially to the small stones and shells used to decorate grotto interiors.

• Such shells or shell forms were the principal motifs in Rococo ornament.

• Retained the complexity of the Baroque but sacrificed power for refined elegance and a delicate, light profusion of forms

features

• Continuous undulating curves

• Twisting naturalistic ornament in marquetry and metal

• Whimsical interpretation of mainly classical designs, characterized by
  carved shells and S-shaped curves.

• Restless, fluid movement

• Fanciful treatment of forms in
  nature:

  • Attenuated sprays and tendrils

  • Pierced and jagged scallop shells

  • Flower garlands

  • Flickering flames

• Exotic motifs from the Near and Far East, esp. China

• Freely modeled forms, often combining natural elements, e.g., animals, shells, and leaves with formal scrolls

  • Asymmetrical

architecture

• buildings had simple moldings around large windows

• Delicate cornices, and wrought iron railings

• Proportions were subtle and the design was graceful and light.

interiors

• rooms were planned with intimate special purpose rooms.

• Large halls gave way to small apartments and intimate room and rooms varied according to their function

• Pastel painted panels with curved moldings replaced the marble stucco walls of the previous period

fete galante

• Paintings depicting the outdoor entertainment or amusements of upper-class society

prussian blue

• first modern, artificially manufactured color

• made by the colormaker Diesbach of Berlin - accidentally formed the pigment when experimenting with the oxidation of iron