THE ADVENT OF
ORNAMENTATION IN
ARCHITECTURE: THE
ROCOCO STYLE.
PRESENTED BY: SIDRA KHOKHAR
SUBMISSIONS AND REMINDERS
1. ASSESSMENT 2 DEADLINE: EXAM DAY
2. ASSESSMENT 3 DEADLINE: 25th May 2023
INTRODUCTION TO
ASSESSMENT 3
Key aspects of discussion
01 02 03 04
What is the Advent of Key features of Case Studies
Rococo style? Rococo style in this style as a
Why did it architecture as visual arts
begin and an ornamental movement.
where? and thematic (Landscape,
motif. fashion and
interior spaces)
What is the
Rococo style
and how did it
begin?
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=AprilGoeke
Rococo: A continuation of the
Baroque style…
• Also known as the Late-Baroque style which began in France during
the mid-1700’s. It was a reaction to the rigidity of the Baroque style. It
was replaced by the Neoclassical style.
•Is an extension of the baroque style i.e., theatrical and ornamental and
use of gilded objects.
•The Rococo style was a visual arts movement. This meant that it
influenced everything from architecture, interior spaces, fashion,
furniture, art, music and even cutlery and homely decorative pieces.
•Apart from large scale buildings, this style was also observed in French
secular homes, especially the salons. It was a competition of showing
who had more wealth- a power struggle shown through visual arts.
Rococo Art: Important
paintings that propelled the
movement
Some common observations Some common observations in
The portrait of Madame
in The Swing: Pompadour:
1. A sense of frivolity and 1. We see an excessive
abandon in the manner indulgence in attire and
setting which is most likely
which the woman is a scene from a salon from a
flinging off her slipper residential space. TOP: The portrait of Madam
and the theme of leisure
and play is shown
2. A lush and almost gaudy
setting with gilded furniture
Pompadour by Francois Boucher,
through the placement of pieces and sculptural
elements. 1756.
a swing.
3. We see the influence of
2. A lush garden setting with Rococo style in attire
a very ornamental swing through the dress of the BOTTOM: The Swing by Jean
madame with its intricate
with golden ropes and a silhouette and Honore-Fragonard, 1767.
velvet cushioned seat for craftsmanship. The
a swing. elaborate nature of the
style is seen in the manner
and style of her dress.
3. Use of sculptures in this
painting is symbolic of 4. She got her portraits made
to convey her stature to the
‘untamed desires’ public as an aristocrat with
depicting the Aristocratic refined taste.
culture of France.
Pilgrimage to
Cythera,
Antoine
Watteau.
theme of childishness,
youth, love andplay seen
through the imagery.
Light colors almost
symbolic of a dream.
Key Features of the Rococo
style:
1. Curves/ serpentine forms
2. Grandeur and a sense of ostentatiousness
3. Stucco (used for sculptures, ceilings, cherubs)
4. Pastel colors (baby blue and powder pink)
5. Asymmetry
6. Trompe l’oeil (visual/optical illusion)- this suggested depth in two
dimensional paintings to give an impression of perspective which
was perhaps absent.
• was more informal and less serious than
Baroque. It was not influenced by religious
Rococo themes. It focused more on celebrating
youth, love and frivolity through secular
Architect spaces.
• It celebrated the irregularity of shapes with
ure- how pastel undertones. It was a very feminine
style which gave an aura of softness and
did it stand organic style of design, especially with
curvilinear lines.
out? • Architecture of this nature placed more
emphasis on privacy rather than the grand
public nature of spaces.
Definition?
A style of architecture and decoration, primarily French in origin,
which represents the final phase of the Baroque around the middle
of the 18th cent. characterized by profuse, often semiabstract
ornamentation and lightness of color and weight.
—Dictionary of Architecture and Construction
Candlestand from Disney
productions of The Beauty
and the Beast. What do
you notice about the style
and craftsmanship of this
candlestand?
Case study
1: Sanssouci
Palace
1. theatricality of design
2. Use of color and
ornamentation.
3. Curved wall depicts its
Rococo influence.
Cuvilliés
Theatre
1. Theatre boxes colored in
grand red and gold.
2. Ornamentation and
gilded fresco designs on
ceilings and cornices.
3. It is a famous Opera
House.
The Amalienburg
Hall of
Mirrors in
Amalienberg
1. Use of nature as a
source of inspiration in
sculpture and
ornamentation.
2. Curvilinear walls
3. Gilded structures.
4. Pastel colors contrasted
with gold.
5. Use of mirrors to create
optical illusion.
Ca’
Rezzonicco-
Italian Rococo.
1. Fresco work symbolizes
Rococo aesthetics of
grandeur.
2. Asymmetrical
ornamentation.
3. Chandleiers and cherubs
Palace of Versailles
1. Use of Curvilinear form (Even in
landscaping) What do you think the
designer was trying to achieve using
this here?
2. Hall of mirrors- using optical illusion
to create narrower spaces bigger.
3. Gilded structures.
4. Large scale to demonstrate French
monarchy’s stature and wealth.
Palace of Versailles (1661)
Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles.
An
example
of a
French
salon.
Which elements do
you see?
We see a continuation of the theatricality and
drama which the Baroque movement made use
of; however, the difference lies in the typologies
of buildings conceived. (Religious vs. Secular)
This movement was an all-encompassing visual
arts movement that impacted all facets of design.
Conclusio
n This movement was meant to highlight the French
aristocracy and frivolity of the French monarchy
which eventually got overthrown after the French
Revolution in the 1800’s. The movement ended
with the fall of the French royalty as well.
The design philosophy was very feminine in
nature with the use of pastel colors, curvilinear
forms, twisting lines of geometry in
ornamentation.
Bibliography
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