Although the Rococo movement was not popular for very long and is not very well known, it had a great influence on art. The movement began in France and then spread across Europe. It was the second phase of the Baroque movement and it lasted approximately from 1720-1760.
The Rococo style arose as a reaction against the dominant Baroque style, which was much more ornate, bold, large and serious in its subject matter. Rococo art became more lighthearted in nature with its curvy lines, which were more fluid and graceful that the straight lines of the Baroque style. There were less religious and mythological themes used in Rococo art, but there were more secular scenes.
The most important artist of Rococo was Francois Boucher, who worked with pastels as his medium. He did many classical paintings with romantic nudes and other scenes such as “Sleeping Venus” or “Odalisque.” Jean-Honore Fragonard was another famous painter of this period who did beautiful paintings like “The Swing,” “Love Letters,” and “The Hammock.”
Other famous artists of this time were: Antoine Watteau, Jean-Baptiste Robieux and Giovanni Battista Tie
When people talk about the Rococo art style, they are usually referring to a movement in Western art from the late Baroque period to the 18th century. The movement’s most prominent center was France, and its style is characterised by light-hearted art that is often erotic or satirical in nature.
Towards the end of the 17th century, Baroque art had reached a climax. It was a time of great pomp and drama, where artists had focused on accentuating power and grandeur in their paintings. There’s nothing wrong with that but it can be rather overbearing if you see too much of it, which is why there was a need for an alternative style.
A new artistic movement emerged that would become known as Rococo. It was lighter and more playful than previous styles and although it still focused on glamour and admiration of all things great, it also contained a good deal of satire. Rococo artists were not as interested in creating morally uplifting art as they were in mocking certain facets of life such as vanity and greed. This could be seen in their paintings that often depicted scenes of opulence but also showed gluttony or laziness by depicting individuals who appeared to be indulging themselves too much.
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The 17th century was a time of great political turmoil in Europe. It was also a time when art forms were being redefined by some of the most talented and influential artists ever to have lived.
Towards the end of this period, one style of art in particular flourished: Rococo. Rococo art was an extension of the Baroque style that preceded it. While it carried on some characteristics, such as the use of bold colors and elaborate ornamentation, it also displayed characteristics that made it stand out.
Though Rococo art is often overlooked today, it has had a lasting influence on later artistic styles. If you’re not familiar with this fascinating period of European history, you’ll want to read further to learn more about this period’s most famous artists and their work.
Rococo art was developed during the late 17th and 18th century and it’s still a popular subject for artists today. Rococo artists use rich colors to depict elegant subject matter. The word rococo comes from the French word “rocaille” which means rocks or pebbles, which are often carved with decorative images.
Artists of the rococo period were concerned with depicting emotions and feelings as much as they were with drawing accurate depictions of their subjects. This contrasts the art of the neoclassical period where the focus was more on physical accuracy than emotional appeal.
Truly unique in art history, the rococo style is known for its overuse of decorative elements such as shells, fruit, ribbons and curls. The purpose of these elements was to create focal points for the viewer and to distract them from any imperfections in the picture.
The name “rococo” is actually an insult. It was invented by French neoclassicists who used it to describe any kind of artwork that wasn’t based in reason or logic.
Rococo was a culture in Europe that was highly influenced by the French. Rococo art is recognized as being expressive, unconventional and sometimes erotic. The term Rococo comes from the French word rocaille which means rockwork or shellwork. Rococo artists created fanciful shell scrolls and seashell shapes.
Rococo art was also characterized by a fluttering style of painting and graceful elongation of figures and decorations. Artists began to paint in light colors such as pastel pinks and blues. They often used delicate shades of pink, mauve, green, blue, yellow and lilac to create the details of their paintings.
The artists liked the softness of the pastel colors when applied to the canvas. Most Rococo paintings were oil on canvas or wood panel, but some were painted on porcelain or pottery. Oil paints were lightened with white pigment or pastel shades for a soft color effect.
Rococo art became popular in France during the reign of King Louis XV who reigned from 1715 to 1774. One of his ministers declared it an era of pleasure and luxury. His wife Marie Antoinette continued this theme after he died in 1774.
Art, has always been a reflection of the society in which it is created. The art of the Baroque period was very different from that of the Renaissance, and both were different from that of the Rococo period. If you are looking for insight into the history and meaning of art, you have come to the right place.
This blog is written by professional art historians who are excited by a new discovery or love to give you more information about an old one. So, sit back and enjoy your trip into the world of Art History!