Rococo Art

Rococo art is art produced in the Rococo style, a style of artistic expression which emerged in France in the early 18th century; people also refer to this as “French style” art, in a reference to its nation of origin. Rococo art and architecture are characterized by very ornate, fanciful themes and a light air which sets this work apart from earlier pieces produced in the Baroque period, which was both ornate and heavy. Rococo art gave way to the neo-classical school, and many critics of that school dismissed Rococo art as frivolous work without depth, which explains why some people use “Rococo” as a derogatory word for frivolous artwork and architecture today.

The term is a portmanteau of rocaille, the French word for “shell,” and barocco, the Italian word for “Baroque.” Rococo artwork is characterized by very ornate curves and shell-like shapes on a wide range of scales from ballrooms to side tables. Rococo art also typically includes elaborate foliage, animal figures, scrolls, and fanciful design elements. In a marked contrast with the dark, heavy colors of Baroque art, Rococo art and architecture featured a lot of pastels, gilding, and other elements which made works from this period very light and lacy.

Like most schools of art, Rococo has ardent fans as well as die-hard detractors. Detractors often dismiss Rococo art as being light and fluffy, without depth or texture, despite the fact that this is clearly belied by the complexity of Baroque homes, which featured immensely detailed and ornate interior design. Like art from earlier periods, Rococo art integrates many symbolic plants, animals, and themes, as someone who takes the time to closely examine Rococo art will learn.

While Rococo originated in France, it spread to other parts of Europe, and was adopted with great enthusiasm in Germany, where some excellent examples of Rococo art and architecture can be found today. Many religious structures incorporated Rococo elements in their architecture as well. The playful art and design which distinguishes Rococo art was often used on a smaller scale, in things like individual pieces of furniture and paintings.

The flourishing of the Rococo period was brief, as social critics pointed to Rococo art as an example of the general degeneration of art and society. The more staid Neo-classical style certainly integrated Rococo elements, however, and in some parts of Europe Rococo fashions endured into the late 1800s, especially in England.