Developing a visual Langauge Rococo Period

1715-1780
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Rococo
The term rococo comes from the French rocaille, "rock-work". Based in France, Rococo was an art style of 18th-century painting and decoration characterized by lightness, delicacy, and elaborate ornamentation. It portraits opulence, grace, playfulness, and lightness in contrast to the heavier themes and darker colors of the earlier Baroque period. Most often used in interior design, painting, architecture, and sculpture.

The style appealed to the senses rather than intellect, stressing beauty over depth.
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Art History
The Rococo style is considered to be the end of the Baroque period.

Rococo developed first in the decorative arts and interior design.

Louis XIV's desire to glorify his dignity and the magnificence of France had been well served by the monumental and formal qualities of most seventeenth-century French art. With the death of Louis XIV and rise of the middle class, the high society in Paris became the pinnacle of fashion. Rococo was manifested out of this new era of thought where society abandoned the formality of the earlier years and began pursuing personal amusement and happiness. This attitude was continued with the following reign of Louis XV in 18th century. Louis XV's succession brought a change in the court artists and general artistic fashion. By the end of the old king's reign, rich Baroque designs were giving way to lighter elements with more curves and natural patterns.

Rococo in different artistic modes

Furniture and Rococo style took pleasure in asymmetry, this decorative objects effect is practice of leaving elements unbalanced for
called contraste. Furniture was lighthearted, physically and visually. Symbol of status. Metalwork, porcelain figures, frills and especially furniture rose to new pre-eminence. Mahogany was widely used in furniture construction due to its strength,[absence of the stretcher] Use of mirrors hung above mantels became ever more popular. Carved wood panels, called boiserie and inlaid wood designs on furniture.
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In a full-blown Rococo design, like the Table d'appartement (1730), by German designer J. A. Meissonnier, working in Paris . Apron, legs, stretcher have all been integrated into a flow of opposed c-scrolls and "rocaille." The knot of the stretcher shows the asymmetrical "contraste" that was a Rococo innovation.

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The architect uses some classical elements - round arches, cornices, pilasters - and the classical principle of symmetry. Typical elements were arabesques, S shapes, C shapes, reverse C shapes and natural plant forms.

Interior Architecture

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Forms are expressed with abstract ornament using flaming, leafy or shell-like textures in asymmetrical sweeps and flourishes and broken curves.

Walls, ceiling, furniture, and works of metal and porcelain present a unified ensemble. Silver or gold gilt showed to advantage against white or pastel backgrounds on walls. The Rococo palette is softer and paler Mirrors were used to break upand dark and reflect the gilt and the than the rich primary colors the surface glittering crystal chandeliers. tastes. tonalities favored in Baroque Silver or gold gilt showed to advantage against white or pastel backgrounds on walls. Mirrors were used to break up the surface and reflect the gilt and the glittering crystal chandeliers.

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Painting
Though Rococo originated in the purely decorative arts, the style showed clearly in painting. Jean-Antoine Watteau (16841721) considered as the first great Rococo painter. Rococo painters used delicate colors and curving forms, decorating their canvases with myths of love. Portraiture was also popular among Rococo painters. Landscapes were pastoral and often depicted the leisurely outings of aristocratic couples.

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Pilgrimage to Cythera by Jean-Antoine Watteau

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Sculpture
tienne-Maurice Falconet (1716 1791) is widely considered one of the best representatives of French Rococo. The style was best expressed through delicate porcelain sculpture rather than imposing marble statues. The themes of love and gaiety were reflected in sculpture, as were elements of nature, curving lines and asymmetry.

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Rococo inspired

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Foot wear

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Hair styles

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That is Rococo

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