Picture of Mona Lisa

Survey of Art 1B

Rococco

 

Fast Facts

Although lacking in complex theory, the Rococo style had a momentum of its own. It evolved in response to the desire for escape from the stiffly formal atmosphere of French court life during the reign of Louis XIV following his death in 1715. The essential objective of French Rococo art was to please the senses, and to decorate the graceful, relaxed interiors of polite society's homes. The ideal was rooted in a concept of prettiness rather than in a concept of beauty.

It was a period when aristocrats valued good taste over morality, and poor taste was treated as an intolerable social offense. Youthful enjoyment, fantasy, playfulness, and a high spirit of romance prevailed!

 

Picture of "Embarkation" by Watteau

The Embarkation to Cytheria, 1717

detail

Artist: Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "The Pleasures of love" by Watteau

The Pleasures of Love, 1718

Artist: Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Gersaint's Shop Sign" by Watteau

Gersaint's Shop Sign, 1716

detail

Artist: Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Mezzetin" by Watteau

Mezzetin, 1720

Artist: Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Girl Reading" by Fragonard

Girl Reading, 1770

Artist: Jean-Honore Fragonard (1732-1806)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "The Swing" by Fragonard

The Swing,1776

Artist: Jean-Honore Fragonard (1732-1806)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Marie Antionette" by Vigee-Lebrun

Portrait of Marie Antionette, 1783

Artist: Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun (1755-1842)
� FCW

 

Picture of "Blue Boy" by Gainsborough

Blue Boy,1770

Artist: Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Duncombe" by Gainsborough

The Honorable Frances Duncombe, c.1777

Artist: Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)
� Artchive

 

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Kathleen Grisham
Instructor's e-mail address: [email protected]
Instructor's homepage:

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/grisham