Rococo

1700 - 1760
Rococo comes from the French words for
rocks (rocaille) and shells (coquilles) and
evolved from the baroque style. The Rococo
style embodies light and beauty and is
inspired by nature, people, curved lines and
light colours. Items ranging from mall scale
ornamental pieces to full scale architectural
masterpieces.
King Louis
xiv
of France
1638 -
1715
King Louis XIV referred to as the Sun King by some
reigned over France for 72 years and saw the
transition from the baroque to the rococo era. This
transition saw the more formal and monumental
imperial artwork of the 17th century give way to a
lighter more personal form of expression. The
more playful and delicate Rococo Designs were
expressed more during the reign on Louis XV who
was the grand son of the Sun King, taking over the
throne at the tender age of four.
Brown Odalisque (L'Odalisque
Brune) 1745

François Boucher
This oil on canvas piece by Boucher is assumed to be of
the artists wife Madame Boucher. The tile of the
Painting, Odalisque means slave but here it is an
aristocrat lounging on a sofa. the lady seems to be a
Turkish woman who were fantasized about at the time as
orientalism was in vogue. You can slightly notice this by
the shape of her eyes but it is ever so slight yet Boucher
has still gotten away with it. It is also noted here that the
woman does not stare directly into the viewers eyes
Venetian Pleasure
1718

Antoine Watteau
There is a strong link between Rococo art and the
performing arts as the paintings needed a plot and
the theatre needed costumes and decor.

In this piece by Antoinne Watteau we see an almost

operatic setting with the woman in the centre being
confronted by an oriental man. Again the fascination
with people from the orient and the very soft light
almost angelic colours used along with the
cloudy, frilliness in the atmosphere.
The Swing
1766

Jean-Hono
Fragonard
‘The Swing’ by Fragorand is known not only for its
technical quality but also for the scandal involved. In
the painting we see a girl on a swing with her dress
fluttering and revealing her undergarments to a
gentlemen below her. In the background it is said we can
see her priest lover pushing her forward towards the
man with a stick. The soft light colours and the
astrosphere created with the flowing background is truly
Rococo.
Rococo Fashion
Rococo fashion like their art and decor was rather
elaborate with men in high heels and women with
hair mounded on top of their heads with curls and
twirls and strings of pearls. lightweight silks such as
taffeta, satin were chosen as they were layered
around the body several times. They were mainly
light, pastel colours that were light and not too bold.
Large floral motifs were popular at first, then smaller
motifs and finally, stripes sprinkled with sprigs. Solid
colours were also popular throughout the rococo era
Rococo
Interiors
Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art .
Each room was covered with elegant and ornate
furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and
tapestry all complementing architecture, reliefs, and
wall paintings. The furniture has floral like motifs caved
into them and everywhere you looked there was decor,
they were very over the top but very glamorous and
cosy at the same time.
Rococo Furniture
Rococo Jewellery
Rococo style is marked by asymmetry of their naturalistic
designs. Many flowers, foliage, ribbon, scrollwork and
feathers were the images depicted. They would either be
engraved or embossed on the metal. During Rococo the
use of enamel in jewellery had been completely
abandoned as a form of a decorative technique. The
Rococo Style can be said to be mainly found in functional
jewellery such as chatelaines and snuff boxes..