HID Module 14 - Rococo

  • Rococo Art and Architecture:

    • Originated in Paris, France, in the mid-1700s.

    • Characterized by delicate and substantial ornamentation.

    • Emerged during France's Pre-Revolutionary period, marked by growing secularism and the rise of the middle class (bourgeoisie).

    • Patrons expanded beyond royalty and aristocrats to include the middle class.

    • Transitional period in French history known as the Régence (1715-1723) between the reigns of Louis XIV and XV.

    • A response to the Age of Reason (Enlightenment) and the shift towards democracy.

    • Art scaled down for salons and art dealers, emphasizing practical objects like chandeliers and soup tureens.

  • General Characteristics of the Régence and Rococo:

    • The Régence refers to the transitional period marked by a shift from Versailles to Parisian aristocracy as trendsetters.

    • Intimate and feminine atmosphere, with interiors and furniture designed for literary salons.

    • Lighter and less heavy than the earlier Louis XIV style, preserving symmetry while introducing thin sculpted motifs.

    • Curving forms, including the Cabriole leg shape, became prominent.

    • Juste-Aurèle Meissonier's work influenced the period, featuring flowing curves, asymmetric ornament, and natural forms.

  • Louis XV Style (Rococo):

    • Rococo identified with the style of Louis XV.

    • Emerged as a reaction against the grandeur and symmetry of Baroque architecture.

    • More delicate, playful, light, and florid, with ornate asymmetrical curves.

    • Interiors and furniture featured interlacings of curves, shell forms, and naturalistic shapes.

    • Decorations included birds, flowers, fruits, musical instruments, angels, and oriental motifs (chinoiserie and singerie).

    • Predominantly pale colors such as light pastel, ivory, whitish-yellow, cream, pearl grey, and very light blues.

    • Rococo architecture was a lighter, more graceful, and elaborate version of Baroque, emphasizing privacy and healthier environments for buildings.

    Summary of Rococo Interior Design:

    Origin:

    • Evolved from the French "rocaille" (artificial rockeries) and "coquille" (cockleshell).

    • Developed first in the decorative arts and interior design.

    • Associated with the reign of Louis XV.

    Characteristics:

    • Highly unified: Integration of various decorative arts.

    • Cordial, warm, comfortable, and convenient.

    • Curving lines and vegetal forms: Vines, leaves, flowers in complex designs.

    • Light colors: White, pastel shades, gold accents.

    • Intimate spaces: Salons, boudoirs, private libraries.

    • Specialized furniture: Writing tables, secretaries, sofas, daybeds.

    • Decorative techniques: Carving, gilding, marquetry, lacquer chinoiserie, toile de Jouy prints.

    Key Styles:

    • Régence: Transition period from Louis XIV's style, characterized by flat, curving motifs and floral designs.

    • Louis XV: Full flowering of Rococo, featuring delicate boiseries, chinoiserie and singerie themes, and furniture with curved forms and attention to function and comfort.

    Examples:

    • Salons of the Hotel de Soubise, Paris.

    • Salon de Monsieur le Prince, Petit Château at Chantilly.

    Key Furniture Types:

    • Armoire, banquette, bergère, bouillotte, bonheur du jour, buffet, bureau plat, bureau a cylinder, bureau a dos d’ane, canapé, cabaret, chaise, chaise longue, chiffonière, commode, duchesse brisée, encoignure, escritoire, étagère, fauteuil, lit à la Duchesse, lit a la polonaise, lit de repos, marquise, ménagère, méridienne, petite-commode, sécretaire, semainier, table a jeu, table de chevet, table de coiffer, table en Coeur, table en Console, tabouret, tete-a-tete, tricoteuse, tric-trac table, vitrine, voyeuse.

    Summary of Rococo Interior Design by Country:

    Italy:

    • Exuberant style with painted commodes, Murano glass, and chinoiserie.

    • Often labeled as Venetian Rococo.

    • Considered coarse and lacking finesse compared to French Rococo.

    • Splendor and lavishness were dominant themes.

    • Furniture designs copied from England and France.

    • Examples: Sala degli specchi (Venice).

    England:

    • Minimal influence compared to continental Europe.

    • Closest association with Gothic Revival architecture.

    • Rocaille limited to a few interiors, furniture, paintings, and decorative objects.

    • Rococo designs best seen in furniture by Chippendale and Johnson.

    • Style considered the "French taste."

    Germany:

    • Most outrageous and magnificent Rococo architecture and interiors in Europe.

    • Characterized by an abundance of curves, counter-curves, and twisting patterns.

    • Extensive use of stucco foliage, gilding, and silvering.

    • Strong emphasis on color: pink, lilac, lemon, blue.

    • Examples: Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

    Summary of Rococo Painting:

    Characteristics:

    • Infused with aristocratic idealism

    • Elaborate ornamentation and intricate detailing

    • Celebrates grandiose ideals and the aristocratic lifestyle

    • Strong sense of theatricality and drama

    Influences:

    • Venetian School: swirling color, erotic subjects, Arcadian landscapes

    • Stage design: immersive atmospheres, seamless integration of art with interior design

    Popular Subjects:

    • Fête galante: outdoor parties with figures in elaborate costumes

    • Erotic paintings

    • Arcadian landscapes

    • "Celebrity" portraits

    Key Artists:

    • Jean-Antoine Watteau: Embarkation for Cythera, Pilgrimage to Cythera

    • François Boucher: The Triumph of Venus, Odalisque

    • Jean-Honoré Fragonard: The Swing, The Progress of Love Series

    • Giovanni Battista Tiepolo: Frescos at the Residenz, Würzburg, Germany, Frescos at the Palacio Real, Madrid

    • Canaletto: Entrance to the Grand Canal, Venice

    • William Hogarth: Marriage A-la-mode 2: The Tete A Tete

    • Thomas Gainsborough: The Blue Boy, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews

    Additional Notes:

    • Rococo painting primarily influenced by the Venetian School

    • Strong emphasis on color, light, and movement

    • Paintings often served as decorative elements in interiors

    • Rococo style spread throughout Europe

    Summary of Rococo Sculpture:

    Characteristics:

    • Informal and relaxed: Lighter and more playful than Baroque sculptures.

    • Air of gaiety: Celebrates joy and pleasure.

    • Dynamic and curvy: Emphasizes movement and sensuality.

    • Focus on young love: Often depicts idealized figures of young lovers.

    • Small and decorative: Intended for display in private spaces.

    Key Figures:

    • Madame de Pompadour: Prominent patron who commissioned many Rococo sculptures.

    • Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory: Known for its exquisite Rococo porcelain figures.

    • Clodion: Known for his charming figures of nymphs, cherubs, and gods.

    • Jean-Baptiste Pigalle: Combined Rococo elements with classical conventions.

    • Étienne Maurice Falconet: Specialized in erotic sculptures inspired by Hellenistic originals.

    • Antonio Corradini: Famous for his veiled sculptures of women.

    Additional Notes:

    • Rococo sculpture can be seen as an extension of the Baroque style.

    • Rococo sculptures were often used to decorate private interiors and gardens.

    • The Sèvres porcelain factory played a significant role in the development of Rococo sculpture.