Rococo: a lost art of elegance

[Staci]

Rococo art and design stems from 18th century France and the time of the Sun King, Louis XIV, when French culture was at its height. Rococo embodies this richly elegant culture. The design gives a sense of lightheartedness and uses curvilinear forms. Delicate colors were used throughout paintings to maintain the lightheartedness, and curved lines were used to continue the organic appeal. Paintings were full of people in landscapes, enjoying themselves. There was a look of elegance and a sense of carefree enjoyment of life. This truly is a beautiful style. What are your thoughts? Do disagree, or perhaps like another style better?

[Lana]

Its almost as if a spotlight in on the main focus of a lot of the pieces of this time period. Its very light, flowing and constantly moving. You don't even notice the disporportionate aspects of the figures, until your eyes fully explore the full painting. Even then, it really doesn't bother me, but is one of the elements I tend to point out first. I do love, though, how there generally is one main focus but your eye still circles the whole image.

[Dominique]

I love it. I had the chance to study it briefly last semester, which was the first time I was introduced to it. I wish I would have had the opportunity to study it more, I find it absolutely stunning. Then again, I find anything French to be absolutely stunning :)

[Staci]

I also adore French artwork. I love their use of colors and the passion that just leaps off the canvas and into my heart when I study their art.

[lauracook87]

I agree, rococo art is beautiful and I wish it was more popular. The light colors and the small decorative details of rococo really stand out to me. I also wish that I had the opportunity to study rococo art more.

[cradams8]

I agree that rococo art is very beautiful. In fact, The Swing by Fragonard is one of my favorite paintings. However, when I learned about the rococo I was shocked by the politics behind it. French nobles would decorate their "salons" with images that depicted peasants living a life of ease and pleasure. Just look at the work of Boucher, such as Shepherd's Idyll and The Washerwomen. If anyone knows anything about pre-Revolutionary France, you will be sure to realize that wasn't the case. Although I think rococo art is beautiful, I find it hard to stomach the unreality that French nobles were living in during this time period.