There are different artistic modes coming from the Rococo art movement. Furniture, Architecture, Sculpture, decorative objects, music, etc. I would like to focus more on Rococo painting. This beautiful art movement appeaing right after the Baroque period in the 18th century, Rococo developed in Paris, France. The transition from Baroque to Rococo involved a change of emphasis from the extravagant to the more airy, delicate, graceful. Rococo painting has an intent to please rather than containing the intense emotions of the Baroque. Rococo is also referred to as ‘Late Baroque’.
A very important representative of the Rococo movement is Jean-Antoine Watteau. Considered as the first great painter of the movement, his work is thought of as the absolutely perfect personification on the Rococo spirit, later influencing what now are considered great artists – Francois Boucher, Jean-Honore Fragonard, etc. The following paintings are a clear example of the artists’ attempt of creating an ornamental and elegant look to their artwork.
Francois Boucher’s ‘The Setting of the Sun’
Francois Boucher’s ‘The Rising of the Sun’
The work of whom I am most keen on from the Rococo movement is Jean-Honore Fragonard’s, especially ‘The Swing’. The reason for that is because he manages to succeed in his attempt to create a dreamy mood and a calm atmosphere with the light colors and the delicate brush strokes he uses.
Jean-Honore Fragonard’s ‘The Swing’
Jean Honore Fragonard’s ‘The Souvenir’
A.C.Sewter, 1972, ‘Baroque and Rococo Art’, Thames and Hudson Limited
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