Rococo

Rococo Art decribes an 18th century movement in France. It originated in the decorative arts and can be seen in interior design, architecture, painting, and sculpture. It is characterized by intricate and ornate decoration, lighthearted themes and delicate colors. Rococo is closely assocciated with the reigns of Kings Louis the XV and XVI; and is easily seen in French palaces of the era.

Think of the elaborate rooms of Versailles, with fluffy white clouds and cherubs on the ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, and ornately decorated furniture, silverware, clothing, and everyday objects

Rococo is seen as a shift away from the heavy, intense paintings of the Baroque era. There was a trend toward light, charming, and casual themes. Paintings are a bit artificial, often showing the aristicracy in idealized scenes, but emphasize beautiful details and dynamic compositions. The French Theatre, Antoine Watteau, French || Mezzetin, 1718, 1720 Antoine Watteau, French || The Bolt, 1778 Jean-Honore Fragonard, French || The Swing, Jean-Honore Fragonard, French || The Glorification of the Barbaro Family, Ceiling decoration, 1750 Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Italian || Ceiling Frescoe of the Wurzburg Residenz, Germany Giovanni Tiepolo, Italian || Harvest Wagon, 1784 Thomas Gainsborough, English || The Blue Boy, 1770 Thomas Gainsborough, English || Critics saw this style is being frivolous, and symbolic of a corrupt society and indulgent aristocracy. The style was replaced by the more serious Neoclassicism.
 * Antoine Watteau is considered to be one of the first Rococo painters. He often created asymmetrical compositions, a characteristic seen throughout Rococo works. ||
 * [[image:watteaufrenchteatre.jpg width="348" height="270"]]
 * [[image:watteaufrenchteatre.jpg width="348" height="270"]]
 * Fragonard began his career by painting historic scenes, but turned to lighter subjects and embraced the Rococo style. He is famous for lighthearted yet detailed and dramatic scenes with romantic undertones. ||
 * [[image:boltfragonard_bolt.jpg width="360" height="280"]]
 * Giovanni, or Giambattista Tiepolo was a prolific (made lots of stuff) Italian painter, and arguably one of the greatest painters of 18th century Europe. He is famous for large scale paintings in great palaces, both on canvases and **frescoes** (paintings made in the plaster of the palace celing). ||
 * [[image:tiepolobarbaro.jpg width="390" height="207"]]
 * Thomas Gainsborough was the only true landscape artist of the time, and also a talented portrait artist. Considered one of England's great masters, he is known for his skill in capturing nature, as well as the personalities of his subjects. ||
 * [[image:Gainsborough-HarvestWagon1784.jpg width="380" height="300"]]

[1|Rococo] Pretty much everything you need to know about Rococo, artist info, and images!
 * Links:**

[|Overview]of Rococo


 * Fragonard:** [|Web Bio], [|Info at the Met], [|Met Painting], [|Web Museum], __ Artchive, __at CGFA,


 * Gainsborough:** [|Web Bio], [|Landscape Painting at the Met], [|Portrait at the Met] [|Web Museum], __ Artchive __


 * Tiepolo:** [|Met Bio], [|Web Museum], __ Artchive __


 * Watteau:** [|Met Bio], [|Web Bio] and images, [|Web Museum], __ Artchive __