Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
HISTORY
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Born in Paris:
Rococo architecture, art, and design emerged
around 1730s in Paris not long after the death
of Louis XIV in reaction to Baroque architecture
such as the Palace of Versailles and the Sun
King’s preferred grandiose French classical art.
In this new era, Parisians returned to the city
from Versailles and started renovating their
homes with a freer, more lighthearted spirit.
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Origin of the Word:
The term "rococo" originated in France in the
early 18th century. It combines the French word
"rocaille” which refers to the decorative stone
and shell motifs commonly used in garden
design and interior decoration, with "baroque,"
a style that preceded it. Rocaille
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Style Overview:
It was characterized by its playful, light,
and ornate designs, often featuring
asymmetrical layouts, curved lines, and
elaborate decorations. Rococo interiors
were typically lavishly decorated with
gilding, stuccowork, and intricate
carvings.
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
The Spread of its Style:
Rococo style spread throughout France and
Europe, to countries including Austria, Germany,
Italy, and Russia. Artists and architects traveled
between nations, carrying and exchanging ideas
and techniques. Additionally, the patronage of
wealthy individuals like the aristocrats and
“The Swing” by Jean-Honoré
bourgeois in countries like Russia, Austria, and Fragonard
Germany contributed to the adoption of Rococo
style in these regions.
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Decline in Popularity
Several factors contributed to its demise, including the
growing influence of Neoclassicism, which championed a
return to classical Greek and Roman ideals of order,
balance, and restraint. Additionally, the French Revolution
ushered in a new era that emphasized simplicity and
practicality over the elaborate excesses of Rococo.
While the exact end date is debatable, the Rococo style
was largely superseded by Neoclassical and other styles by
the early 19th century.
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
INFLUENCES
GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY
ROCOCO IN ITALY
• Around the same time as Rococo was beginning in
France, in the early 18th century, Italians began to
become more interested in the work of Francesco
Borromini, the baroque architect.
• Sought to make it more elegant, lighter and less
oppressive than High Baroque.
• Characterised by swelling, curved forms, terra-cotta
construction, exposed structures and complicated
architectural compositions.
GEOGRAPHY
ROCOCO IN RUSSIA
• Catherine I, Empress of Russia (1725-1727), was
one of the great women rulers of the 18th century.
The palace named for her near St. Petersburg
was begun in 1717 by her husband, Peter the
Great. By 1756 it was expanded in size and glory
specifically to rival the Versailles in France.
• It is said that Catherine the Great, Empress of
Russia from 1762 until 1796, highly disapproved of
the Rococo extravagance.
GEOGRAPHY
ROCOCO IN AUSTRIA
• Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria was
designed by archit ect Johann L uk as v on
Hildebrandt (1668-1745).
• The Lower Belvedere was built between 1714
and 1716 and the Upper Belvedere was built
between 1721 and 1723 — two massive Baroque
summer palaces with Rococo era decorations.
• Marble Hall is in the upper palace. The Italian
Rococo artist Carlo Carlone was commissioned
for the ceiling frescoes.
GEOGRAPHY
ROCOCO IN SPAIN
• In Spain and her colonies the elaborate stucco
work became known as "churrigueresque".
• The influence of French Rococo can be seen CHURRIGUERESQUE
here in the sculpted alabaster by Ignacio
Vergara Gimeno after a design by architect
Hipolito Rovira.
• Elaborate details were added throughout the
years to both ecclesiastical architecture and
secular residences. SCULPTED ALABASTER
GEOGRAPHY
• In France, limestone and marble was common and was
mostly used in intricate carvings, especially in Paris.
• While in Germany, sandstone was a local material and
frequently used, particularly in regions like Bavaria. It is
often combined with stucco and plaster, which are easier
to mold into curves and organic forms, contrasted with a
simpler, structural exterior design.
• Marble and terracotta were often used in central and
northern Italy, emphasizing the luxurious, yet lighter,
interior decorations.
CLIMATE
• Rococo architecture, while known for its ornate and elegant interiors, subtly
incorporated climate considerations to enhance comfort in varying European
weather conditions.
• In warmer climates like southern France and Italy, Rococo buildings utilized
high ceilings, cross-ventilation systems, and large windows to cool interiors
naturally by facilitating airflow.
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
KEY FEATURES AND
CHARACTERISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
1. Asymmetrical
2. Curves
3. Sense of awe
4. Stucco
5. Nature
6. Pastels
[Link] l'oeil (“Deceive the Eye)
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
EXTENSIVE BRIGHT AND GOLD AND OTHER ELEMENTS FROM ROCOCO ROCOCO
DETAILS PASTEL COLORS LAVISH MATERIALS CLASSICAL FRESCOES SCULPTURES
ARCHITECTURE
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
EXTENSIVE DETAILS
The extensive use of intricate details serves
both aesthetic and symbolic purposes. The
ornate decorations found in palaces, churches,
and salons were intended to create a sense of
luxury, elegance, and sophistication.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Palaces and aristocratic residences: Wealth, social
status, and influence of the owners
Churches and religious places: To evoke awe and
spiritual elevation
Other Rococo structures (Spa, Ballrooms, Gardens,
Pavilions, etc.): For aesthetic pleasure that
emphasizes lightness, movement, and playfulness.
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
EXTENSIVE DETAILS
Rococo architecture frequently incorporates
scrolls, shells, and natural forms in i t s
decorative elements, reflecting a preference
for organic, whimsical designs.
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
BRIGHT AND PASTEL COLORS
Bright and pastel colors in Rococo architecture
evoke lightness and elegance, creating airy, inviting
spaces that foster intimacy and comfort,
particularly in areas designed for social interaction.
These soft hues reflect a spirit of playfulness and
joy, moving away from the grandeur of earlier styles
while symbolizing purity and tranquility, especially
in religious contexts.
• Royal Palace of Caserta,
Italy
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
GOLD AND LAVISH MATERIALS
Gold became one of the most prominent materials
used in their architecture and interior design, with
lavish gilded details adorning many buildings.
The intricate gilding on walls, ceilings, furniture,
and architectural details served to demonstrate the
affluence of those in power, reinforcing their
dominance and refined style.
• Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg,
Russia
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
GOLD AND LAVISH MATERIALS
Gold's use also conveyed a sense of divine favor,
particularly in religious buildings, aligning material
wealth with spiritual grandeur
It built upon practices from the Baroque era but
took the opulence to new heights, with gold being
a visual representation of luxury and excess.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ELEMENTS FROM CLASSICAL
ARCHITECTURE
Rococo architecture often incorporates Classical
elements such as pediments, round arches,
statuary niches, and columns from the Doric, Ionic,
and Corinthian orders. These features, originally
developed by the Ancient Greeks and Romans,
were commonly used in earlier Renaissance and
Baroque architecture and were subtly integrated
into Rococo designs.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ELEMENTS FROM CLASSICAL
ARCHITECTURE
While Rococo emphasized lightness and ornate
decoration, these Classical elements provided a
sense of structural balance and continuity with
architectural traditions of the past.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ROCOCO FRESCOES
Rococo frescoes typically featured light, playful
themes such as pastoral scenes, mythological
figures, and cherubs and most are rendered in
soft, pastel colors.
They are often integrated with other decorative
elements like stucco work, gilding, and ornate
moldings
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ROCOCO SCULPTURES
Like Rococo frescoes, the common subjects of the
sculptures include cherubs, pastoral scenes, and
mythological figures.
Often crafted from delicate materials like marble,
porcelain, and gilded bronze, allowing for fine
details and intricate designs.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
KEY FEATURES OF ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ROCOCO SCULPTURES
These sculptures are frequently found in palaces,
churches, and garden fountains, seamlessly
blending with their ornate surroundings.
• Helbling Haus,
Austria
GOTHIC
Rococo
Byzantine
ISLAMI
C
RENAISSANCE
BAROQUE
ROMANESQUE
RENAISSANCE ROCOCO
BAROQUE
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTS AND
THEIR WORKS
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Catherine Palace – Würzburg Residenz – Queluz National The Church of St. John
St. Petersburg, Würzburg, Bavaria, Palace - Quelez, of Nepomuk in
Russia Germany Portual Munich
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli
• Origin: Italian-born, lived in Russia
• Specific Style: Late Baroque with Russian
influences; known for grandeur, elaborate
ornamentation, and opulence
• Rastrelli’s works showcase Rococo's lavish interiors,
featuring elaborate ornamentation, gilded stucco,
and playful decoration. The light-filled, fluid spaces
and extensive use of gold and curves in the
Catherine Palace echo Rococo’s aesthetic of
elegance and ornamental richness.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
• known until 1910 as the Great Palace of Tsarskoe
Selo
• After Russia’s Great Northern War, Peter the Great
would give the estate to this wife, Catherine. The
property was then known as Saari Mojs, which
translates in Russian to “a high place.”
• A little more than a decade after Catherine had
received this estate, the palace was designed and
built by Johann Friedrich Braunstein and Johann
Ferster.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
• Then in 1751, Bartolomeo Rastrelli undertook a
major reconstruction, integrating several
buildings, giving the palace its distinctive snow-
white columns, sky-blue walls, with gilded stucco,
chapel cupolas, and sculptures requiring almost
100 kg of gold.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Balthasar Neumann
• Origin: Balthasar Neumann was born in 1687 in
Eger, Bohemia (now Cheb, Czech Republic).
• Neumann’s Vierzehnheiligen features Rococo's
playful elegance with airy, interconnected spaces,
abundant light, and intricate plasterwork. His use
of curved forms, large windows, and lavish interior
decoration ca ptur es Ro co co 's em ph a sis o n
lightness and decorative richness.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Würzburg Residenz – Würzburg,
Bavaria, Germany
• Built between 1720 and 1744 under the patronage
of Schönborn brothers
• Residenz Würzburg was intended to be a home
fitting for their royal status. Other notable artists
such as Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted the
frescoes on ceilings throughout the residence.
• Includes the grand staircase, the chapel, and the
Imperial Hall. The building was reportedly called
the "largest parsonage in Europe" by Napoleon.
Würzburg Residenz – Würzburg, Bavaria,
Germany
Würzburg Residenz – Würzburg, Bavaria,
Germany
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Mateus Vicente de Oliveira
• He was a Portuguese architect.
• He studied under the architects João Frederico
Ludovice and Jean Baptiste Robillon, during the
construction of the royal palace at Mafra –
Portugal's attempt to rival the Spanish king's
palace at Escorial.
• Oliveira worked chiefly in the late Baroque and
rococo styles of architecture. While he is best
remembered for his design of the Palace of
Queluz, he also worked on many other projects.,
one of which is Basílica da Estrela in Lisbon
Queluz National Palace - Quelez, Portual
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Cosmas Damian Asam
and Egid Quirin Asam
• The Asam brothers (Cosmas Damian Asam and Egid
Quirin Asam) were sculptors, painters, and architects,
who worked mostly together and in southern Germany.
• Both brothers followed in their father’s footsteps in their
tendencies and training. Cosmas Damian worked as a
painter and sculptor; Egid Quirin, as architect, stucco-
worker, and sculptor. As their specialties complemented
each other well for architectural assignments, they
worked together on nearly all their commissions.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
The Church of St. John of
Nepomuk in Munich
• Also known as the “Asamkirche” in honour of the
brothers, is their masterwork and is an early
contribution to the Bavarian Rococo style.
• It is considered one of the most important
buildings of the two main representatives of the
southern German late Baroque and on the
threshold of Rococo.
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
The Church of St. John of
Nepomuk in Munich
• Originally built as the brothers' own private chapel,
what it lacks in size, Asamkirche more than makes
up for in spiralling columns, gilt garland-bearing
cherubs and a complex ceiling fresco
representing the life of St Johann Nepomuk.
HISTORY (INTRODUCTION)
[Link]
[Link]
INFLUENCES
Craven, J. (2019, January 9). The Rococo - A beginner’s guide to art and architecture. ThoughtCo.
[Link]
Taul, S., & Evie, L. (2023, November 21). Rococo architecture in Italy. [Link].
[Link]
KEY FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS
Master Class (2021, Jun 10). Rococo Architecture Guide: 7 Characteristics of Rococo Style
[Link]
Architecture of Cities (2022, July 17) Top 15 Examples of Rococo Architecture.
[Link]
ARCHITECTS AND THEIR WORKS
Carney, Rob. “Top 15 Examples of Rococo Architecture - Architecture of Cities” July 17, 2022,
[Link]
St. Petersburg attractions. Catherine Palace. VisitRussia. October 11, 2024,
[Link]
PICTURES AND OTHER GRAPHICS ARE TAKEN FROM
[Link], [Link], AND [Link]
Rococo
ARCHITECTURE
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