Rococo: A Movement in Art
By Melissa Montgomery

The word ‘Rococo’ is the name applied to a movement of art, interior décor, textiles, architecture and music. Beginning in the 18th century, this movement’s name literally means rocks (rocaille) and shells (coquilles) in French. Rococo can be very small (a cup and saucer) or large (paintings on a wall of a ballroom or an entire façade of a building). The Rococo style embodies beauty and is filled with nature, joyous people, curved lines and light colors.

In 1715, the death of Louis XIV brought about a new era in France. The death of Europe’s longest living monarch ushered in many changes in France, and the Rococo movement was one of them. The delicate, relaxed and ornate style of the Rococo spread quickly all over Europe and into Russia. People were ready to shed the strict, formal style of the previous monarch and the austere lines and religious tones of the Baroque period. The lighter more optimistic side of life was at the forefront and was accurately reflected in Rococo art and design.

Rocco art and architecture with its curved pretty lines and pastel colors was a sharp contrast to the religious content and authoritarian themes of Baroque art period. The Rococo style grew rapidly in France during the 18th century and reflected the values of the new monarch Louis XV: delicate, aesthetically beautiful and totally concerned with pleasure and enjoying life. Rococo colors were light and pastel in contrast to the dark colors of the Baroque age.

The Rococo movement is important because it encompassed art, design, textiles, music and architecture therefore it changed the entire artistic face and fabric of Europe. Through their small engravings, artists such as Jean Louis Meissonier and Nicholas Pineau helped spread the style throughout Europe. Smaller items travelled easily at that time and soon the Rocco style became popular. The Rococo style began with small items (engravings, textiles, furniture) and evolved into larger forms of art (paintings, murals, music) and architecture (buildings and houses). The Rococo style did not become as popular in England as it was considered too French. The movement spread to Germany and was welcomed in other countries in Europe. Rococo art with its theme of playfulness and optimism was incorporated into new design as well as injected into existing religious structures and works of art.

Changes in the design of furniture were also reflected in the Rococo period. Small curvy lines and beautiful fabrics are hallmarks of the Rococo period. Again, this marked a total departure from the severe lines favored by the previous monarch, Louis XVI. By the 1730’s, Rococo had hit a high point with everything from chairs to buildings, from paintings to textiles being designed in the new, pretty, asymmetrical style.

Many critics then and now dismiss the Rococo period as frivolous and without substance. But few can deny the beauty and the lasting effect the Rococo style has had on art, architecture and design in Europe.

Great painters of the Rococo period are: Honore Fragonard, Antoine Watteau and Sebastiano Ricci. Copies of their work can be seen at: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/rococo.html

Examples of Rococo architecture can be found at:
http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/Historic-Styles/Rococo.htm

Rococo furniture examples can be found at:
http://www.furniturestyles.net/european/french/rococo.html

Rococo composers can be found at:
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/jwulff/MUS103/rococo_period.htm

Examples of Rococo fashion and textiles can be found at:
http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/index.shtml