{oh la la...Rococo}

I taught my freshmen this week on the Rococo. While I don't particularly love the frivolity and the over-the-top-with-a-cherry-on-top style of the movement, I do--I have to admit--like some of it...But really, I like the sorts of things the movement inspired. Departures from the movement itself.

{Speltz, A., The Styles of Ornament, pl. 317 and 318. From Universidad de Navarra}

{The Cabinet of Count Bielenski, plate 87 in Works of Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier Designed by Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (French, 1695–1750); Etched and engraved by Pierre Chenu (French, 1718–after 1767); France, 1742–48 (designed 1734); Etching and engraving on off-white laid paper}

The word "Rococo" combines the Portuguese word barroco (an irregularly shaped pearl & may be the source of the word baroque) & the French word rocaille (the artificial shell or rock ornament popular for gardens). Its used to define the refined, fanciful & often playful style that became fashionable under Louis XV (& often associated with his Mistress, Madame de Pompadour). It was a favoured style of an aristocracy that devoted itself to the enjoyment of witty conversation, cultivated artifice, and playful sensuality.

{I'd like to frame some of these "rocaille" inspired prints. from Universidad de Navarra}

The rococo style is generally characterized by pastel colours, delicately curving forms, dainty figures and a light-hearted mood.

It has often been interpreted as a reaction against the art identified with the formality & rigidity of 17^th c-court life under Louis XIV, the Sun King, or Roi Soleil.

The Duke of Orléans, regent for the boy-king Louis XV settled in Paris & the rest of the court (moved from the palace at Versailles) built elegant town houses (known as hôtels) with interiors fashioned in the Rococo style. The hôtels became the site for intellectual gatherings, called salons (also the name used for the room itself), hosted by educated women of the upper class. One example is the Hôtel de Soubise:

{Germain Boffrand, Salon de la Princesse, Hôtel de Soubise, begun 1732, Paris, France}

Modern inspirations of the Rococo in wall paper:

{"Nama Rococo" from Neublack}

In the nineteenth century there emerged a revival of Rococo, such as these illustrations of Rococo interiors:

{I like the pastel greens. From The Textile Blog}

This Rococo-inspired modern artwork by Maki Tamura is pretty cool:

{Maki Tamura, Rococo, watercolor on paper, wood. From Lucas Schoorman's Gallery}

& I like this Rococo revival bed:

{Unfortunately it's £1,195.00 , available at Interior Delights}

I like this DIY project from design*sponge of a paper clock with rococo-inspired paper:

Check out this Rococo-inspired chalkboard:

{$36 from SeeJaneWork}

{How about this crazy dress?}

Or this elegant rendition from Marie Antoinette?

With these shoes?


 

{from Londonnet}

I like this Rococo Revival brooch:

{1870s Rococo revival available for the small sum of $1175 at jewelryexperts}

 How lovely is this Fleurs Rococo wallpaper?

{Charles Newhaven Interiors}

I love these rococo-inspired birds by ParisBreakfasts:

{You can buy them on Etsy}

Or check out these Ladies-in-Waiting plates from anthropologie:

For an excellent exhibit on the Rococo see Cooper-Hewit:

An added note: my dear friend, Jenni, has just informed me of an online game where you can decorate your own salon. check it out at le grand salon