Which Period of Art Was a Reaction to the Rococo?

Luxury, decadence, theatricality– these are a few words that come to heed when thinking back to the artwork that came out of the Rococo period. The Rococo motion was an opulent visual motion that was established in c. 1720 Paris. The magnificent paintings from this catamenia were characterized past their ornamental and decorative style. If y'all are interested in getting a glimpse of the spectacular fine art that came out of the Rococo movement, proceed reading to reveal our tiptop 10 most famous Rococo paintings every bit we delve into the notable works from the 18th century!

Table of Contents

1 What Did the Rococo Art Move Correspond?
2 Our Top 10 Nearly Famous Rococo Paintings
- 2.1 The Embarkation for Cythera (1717) past Jean-Antoine Watteau
- 2.2 The Entrance to the Thousand Culvert (c. 1730) by Canaletto
- 2.three Soap Bubbles (c. 1733 – 1734) by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin
- 2.4 La Toilette de Vénus (1751) past François Boucher
- 2.v Allegory of the Planets and Continents (1752) past Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
- two.6 Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) by François Boucher
- 2.7 The Bathers (1765) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- two.8 The Swing (1767) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
- 2.9 The Blue Boy (c. 1770) past Thomas Gainsborough
- 2.10 Self-Portrait with Harbinger Chapeau (1782) past Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
3 Oftentimes Asked Questions
- 3.1 What Is the Rococo Flow?
- 3.2 What Influenced Rococo Fine art?
- 3.three What Are the Defining Features of Rococo Art?

What Did the Rococo Fine art Movement Represent?

The Rococo period spanned the majority of the 18th century. It originated in Paris c. 1720 and before long spread throughout French republic and other parts of Europe including Italy, Germany, Russia, and Austria. The Rococo move began as a reaction to the more than formal grandeur and heaviness of the Bizarre mode that preceded it, by contrasting it with delicate lightness and whimsy.

King Louis 15 was considered a "perpetual adolescent", which gives you an idea of why the playful nature of the French Rococo was so suitable for his reign.

Portrait of Louis Fifteen (1719) past Jean Ranc; Jean Ranc, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Rococo motion became synonymous with the compelling Madame de Pompadour, the new Male monarch XV'south mistress. Madame de Pompadour embodied the essence of the Rococo fashion, and she became associated with the movement as she had authority over all things stylish. She was a major patron of the movement and she commissioned to take many of her portraits done in the Rococo style.

The discussion "Rococo" is derived from the French discussion "rocaille", significant pebble or rock, and it refers to the stones and shells that were used to decorate fountains or the interiors of grottoes since the Renaissance. The term "rocaille" was used to describe the decorative and ornamental style that was featured in Rococo paintings.

The Pre-Bundled Flying (c. 1772-1773) past Jean-Honore Fragonard; Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

The Rococo artists of this period focused on light and pastels in their candy-colored scenes of playful courtship and leisure that captured a more delicate and feminine essence. The Rococo move was divers by its use of natural motifs, curving lines, soft colors, and themes regarding nature, playfulness, lighthearted entertainment, youth, and love.

The Rococo art paintings were characterized by their intricate ornamentation, exuberant ornament, and asymmetrical designs. Rococo artwork exaggerated the principles of theatricality and illusion.

Our Top 10 Most Famous Rococo Paintings

The Rococo movement spanned across the majority of the 18th century, originating in Paris and spreading across various parts of Europe. During this time, the Rococo artists that contributed to the motility left a bountiful collection of Rococo art paintings that were extravagant, elegant, and opulent; paintings that went on to inspire artists that followed and go on to exist historic to this day. Hither is our selection of the top 10 most famous Rococo paintings.

The Embarkation for Cythera (1717) by Jean-Antoine Watteau

Creative person	Jean-Antoine Watteau
Date Painted	1717
Medium	Oil on canvass
Dimensions	129 cm 10 194 cm
Where Information technology Is Currently Housed	Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Jean-Antoine Watteau is largely regarded every bit the founder of the Rococo style painting. Incorporating influences from the Venetian Renaissance masters such equally Paolo Veronese and Titian; and the Flemish giant Peter Paul Rubens, Watteau developed compositions that were dynamic in brilliantly expressive colors. Watteau presented an untamed and idyllic delineation of nature.

Likewise known every bit the "Pilgrimage to the Island of Cythera", this painting is regarded as one of Watteau'due south near famous Rococo paintings.

The Embarkation for Cythera (1717) by Jean-Antoine Watteau; Jean-Antoine Watteau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Embarkation for Cythera merges a lush landscape that is reminiscent of the Renaissance-style with a symbolic scene where a group of couples is either prepare out for or returning from Cythera, a little Greek island close to the site in mythology where Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, was built-in. In the foreground, there are three couples that each stand for a separate stage of courting. In the heaven, three cupids are flying, which reflects the dotty suggestions of the isle.

His painting was accepted past the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture which brought recognition to the newly formed genre and established the Rococo style. This introduced the fête galante, courtship painting, which involved Watteau's signature melding of fantasy and reality in both the setting and costume in his paintings, also every bit the unspecified subject area matter of his paintings.

The characteristics Watteau developed in his Rococo-mode paintings went on to inspire artists such as François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, who later became Rococo giants.

The Entrance to the Grand Canal (c. 1730) by Canaletto

Artist	Canaletto
Date Painted	c. 1730
Medium	Oil on canvass
Dimensions	49.6 cm x 73.vi cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, United states

In terms of Italian cityscape paintings, there is no ane quite like Giovanni Antonio Canal who famously went by the proper name Canaletto. The Entrance to the Yard Culvert is regarded as his most famous painting, which depicts the waterway entrance that leads into Venice with gondoliers maneuvering their passengers across the canvas. Venice at the time was a pop creative haven. On the left of the painting, the large church depicted is the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.

The Entrance to the K Canal (c. 1730) by Canaletto; Canaletto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Canaletto's painting featured the typical asymmetrical design of Rococo art. The asymmetrical positioning of the gondoliers indicates movement in the painting, equally three of them extend upwards cartoon your eye into the distance. The frail work of local colors creates a gilt hue that suggests he was capturing the essence of an idyllic scene. Canaletto's intricate depiction of calorie-free captured the piece of work of the lord's day and shadows on the beautiful Venetian architecture.

This style of landscape, the Arcadian mural, heavily inspired the Rococo style of painting.

Canaletto's The Entrance to the Grand Canal is considered one of the nigh famous Rococo paintings fabricated outside the region of France in the 1700s. Canaletto mastered painting from nature and expertly conveyed the atmosphere he was trying to capture. His work has maintained its acclaim and influence, in 2017 David Bickerstaff featured it in his picture Canaletto and the Art of Venice.

Soap Bubbles (c. 1733 – 1734) past Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin

Artist	Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin
Date Painted	c. 1733 – 1734
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	61 cm x 63.ii cm
Where Information technology Is Currently Housed	Metropolitan Museum of Fine art, New York City, U.s.

In contrast to the extravagant and all-encompassing scenes often associated with Rococo artwork, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin's paintings depicted a seemingly simple perspective despite him being a pioneer of the Rococo movement. Chardin's well-known artworks focused on the playful disposition of children; in fact, ane of his well-nigh notable pieces Soap Bubbling depicted 2 children playing. In this painting, he depicted a child bravado bubbles, whilst a friend watched from behind.

The colors in Lather Bubbles are quite muted, showcasing rich browns and black. These colors highlight the contrast of the male child's glowing face and hands, which invite you to focus on what the boy is doing, as the viewer you lot get immersed, much like the male child, in the childhood human activity of blowing bubbles. Chardin'south brushwork is thick and textured, mimicking the tactile textures of fabric, skin, and rock.

This painting demonstrates the feeling of babyhood and the fleeting joy of idle play.

Soap Bubbles (c. 1733 – 1734) past Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin; Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

Following the observations of many critics and art historians, the painting seems to depict the innocence of babyhood and the ease of entertainment, rather than anything securely symbolic. Still, some see the bubble as an allusive symbol of life's impermanence.

The painting served as Chardin'southward distinct contribution to the Rococo movement, with his realistic scenes establishing a genre that depicted children at play, nevertheless lifes, and domestic scenes that all reflected the leisurely pastimes that were typical of the Rococo movement.

Chardin skillfully portrayed the everyday aesthetic of the French eye-form and developed a potent following that reached iconic figures such as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Édouard Manet.

La Toilette de Vénus (1751) by François Boucher

Creative person	François Boucher
Date Painted	1751
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	108.3 cm x 85.i cm
Where Information technology Is Currently Housed	The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, United states

François Boucher's La Toilette de Vénus depicts Madame de Pompadour in the nude as Venus, the classical Goddess of beauty and love. The painting exudes overt theatricality with Boucher's portrayal of voluptuous flesh, the asymmetrical spread of furniture, luxuriant fabrics, pearls, and flowers. La Toilette de Vénus was originally painted to decorate Madame de Pompadour's luxury suite of iii rooms that made upwards her bathing apartments at her Château de Bellevue.

Both Boucher and Madame de Pompadour became synonymous with the Rococo movement.

La Toilette de Vénus (1751) by François Boucher; François Boucher, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Two white doves and three cherubs tend to the effigy of Venus equally she lounges on a seat framed in gilded. The bluish drapes that glisten with the calorie-free and shadow are partially open to a view of an alluring garden, which creates a captivating sense of leisure. Depicting Madame de Pompadour as Venus idealizes her and surrounding her figure with ornate decorations enhances the overall feel of luxury.

Boucher'due south sensual portrayals of the social aristocracy and notable citizens came to course function of his ain defined pictorial brand.

Madame de Pompadour became Boucher's almost notable patron until she died in 1764. La Toilette de Vénus was one of the many portraits she had deputed. Boucher masterfully presented the conflation of theatricality and performed identities with the existent lived identities of his subjects. Demonstrating the art of appearance that even so represented his subject field's truthful identity. Boucher'south power to captivatingly depict his subjects led to him becoming known equally one of the most famous Rococo artists in portraiture.

Allegory of the Planets and Continents (1752) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

Artist	Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Date Painted	1752
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	185.4 cm x 139.4 cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	Metropolitan Museum of Fine art, New York, United States

Apologue of the Planets and Continents is 1 of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's most famous paintings and contributions to Italian Rococo, which was based on French Rococo mode and an airier expression of the preceding Bizarre style. Allegory of the Planets and Continents portrays an exuberant arrangement of heavenly figures that together represent the various planets and Earth'southward continents.

The painting was created to be hung on the ceiling of the staircase at the Würzburg Residence in Deutschland for Carl Phillip von Grieffenklau, the prince-bishop.

Apologue of the Planets and Continents (1752) past Giovanni Battista Tiepolo; Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Tiepolo's spectacularly festive portrayal of the sun's move through the heaven demonstrates a splendor of colour, light, and swirling patterns. To the left of the centre, you tin can see Apollo, the Greek God of the lord's day, who is illuminated from backside by a shining orb as he calls to the lord's day horses that stand to his right. The remaining Gods symbolize the planets swirling effectually Apollo, the dominicus. The border features many figures pointing towards the painting's heart equally if to indicate that inward lies divinity. The figures represent people of Africa, America, Asia, and Europe.

The large fresco was equanimous and then that individual sections of the painting could be viewed separately at specific stopping places. Tiepolo made it seem as if the perspective would adjust to the viewer'southward position.

Tiepolo's genius could be witnessed in the arrangement of his pastels, he would create tension in the scene that would highlight the dramatic poses and narrative motility of his figures to develop a lively issue. With his imagination, he created a theatrical linguistic communication to convey ancient narratives and sacred legends. It was Tiepolo's genius that inspired artists such every bit Francisco Goya.

Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) by François Boucher

Creative person	François Boucher
Engagement Painted	1756
Medium	Oil on canvass
Dimensions	212 cm ten 164 cm
Where Information technology Is Currently Housed	Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany

François Boucher'due south exquisite Portrait of Madame de Pompadour depicted the mistress of King Louis Xv. Madame de Pompadour embodied the essence of the Rococo style, and she became associated with the movement equally she had say-so over all things stylish. This was some other portrait by Boucher that she had commissioned. Boucher's portrait aptly portrayed her equally lavish, decadent, and fashionably elegant. Boucher's full-sized portrait depicted Madame de Pompadour reclining in her luxuriant dark-green silk gown, patterned with pink roses.

Extravagant tones of gold glaze the painting, with the golden brocades framing the room and an intricate gilt cartel clock above the fireplace providing sumptuous detail to the painting.

Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) by François Boucher; François Boucher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The painting is rich in symbolism with details such equally a total bookcase with several books littered across the flooring, and the lyre-shaped clock adorned with laurels. Symbolizing her love of poetry, music, and literature. The painting conveys pleasurable leisure and conviction, notwithstanding information technology is still able to demonstrate the weight of her intellectual influence with a quill and open volume in hand.

Madame de Pompadour'southward pose, with a turned gaze to her left, represented deep philosophical thought. Boucher's work on Portrait of Madame de Pompadour has served as a somewhat social iconography, with each factor being chosen advisedly and unified stylistically to portray an ideal image. Boucher's portrayals of Madame de Pompadour demonstrated the quintessential Rococo style painting.

Madame de Pompadour propelled the Rococo motility forward due to her influence.

The Bathers (1765) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Artist	Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Date Painted	1765
Medium	Oil on sheet
Dimensions	fourscore cm x 64 cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Jean-Honoré Fragonard adult a distinct style during the French Rococo period. He often used colors that were more than vibrant in comparing to his counterparts, not only that but his paintings, in general, differed quite a bit from the Rococo artwork that came out of the early on 18th century. 1 of his famous Rococo paintings is titled The Bathers, which depicts viii women lightheartedly bathing in the sun.

The trees surrounding the women frame their bodies as they are all arranged in various poses, each expressing unique personalities and characteristics.

The Bathers (1765) past Jean-Honoré Fragonard; Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The bathing scene was popular during the Rococo period. It was often used as a means to show off the Rococo artists' skills as they had to pigment the nude figures in a variety of positions from various angles, and of class, the provocative subject thing edged towards the titillating. In The Bathers, there was a lightness most the palette and the theme, equally the lighter tones of colors used were suited to expressing the gentleness and innocence of the women.

Fragonard's brushwork was palpable and loose which provided a sense of fluidity that contributed to the liveliness of the Rococo artwork.

The Bathers was one of the last few of Fragonard'south Rococo art paintings to be publicly displayed and exhibited, in 1767 he began to solely paint for private clients. Fragonard was one of the Rococo artists at the epicenter of the movement, he contributed well over 500 spectacular paintings to the movement documenting the decadence of the times and illustrating carefree entertainment and images of splendor.

The Swing (1767) by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Artist	Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Date Painted	1767
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	81 cm x 64.two cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	Wallace Drove, London, United kingdom

The Swing is some other case of Jean-Honoré Fragonard's masterful work. The Rococo artwork depicts a graceful young adult female who is swinging playfully from the branch of a tree as a immature man looks to her from beneath and another man behind her stands in the shadows pulling her swing by rope. The man in forepart of her is positioned in such a way that he would have a view underneath her wearing apparel, which exemplified the Hedonism of the Rococo era, which was frequently present in Fragonard'south artwork.

The Swing is the quintessential Rococo style painting, with Fragonard's signature deft brushwork, soft colors and lighting, and frivolously light-hearted themes. The young woman's frothy pink apparel billows as she is poised in mid-air, exposing her legs to the man blushing below. Tantalizingly, she kicks off her she toward the statue of cupid, the God of dearest and want. At the fourth dimension, the shoeless human foot of a woman was symbolic of nudity.

In a presumed ploy to be ironic, Fragonard clad the woman in a bergère hat, shepherdess hat, which symbolized purity and virtue.

The Happy Accidents of the Swing (1767) past Jean-Honoré Fragonard;Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Swing is recognized equally one of the most famous artworks from the Rococo era. The asymmetrical limerick, the lush scenery, playfulness, nonchalance, and layered eroticism exemplified the characteristics of the Rococo mode. The Swing has cemented its place equally a cultural and artistic icon.

In that location have been several nods made to this ever-inspiring piece, with notable mentions in popular civilization such every bit the Disney film Frozen, where it is seen sitting in an art gallery, or when it was referenced past the contemporary artists' Kent Monkman and Yinka Shonibare in their work, or equally part of Larry Moss' 3D fine art installation at the Phelps Art Center.

The Bluish Boy (c. 1770) by Thomas Gainsborough

Creative person	Thomas Gainsborough
Date Painted	c. 1770
Medium	Oil on sheet
Dimensions	177.viii cm x 112.1 cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	Henry East. Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino, California, Usa

The Blue Male child is considered one of Thomas Gainsborough's most famous Rococo paintings. Information technology depicts a portrait of a boy in a blue uniform, equally a costume study. The rosy-cheeked young boy is elegantly dressed in a detailed costume against a turbulent landscape Gainsborough was influenced by the French Rococo style through his learnings at the St. Martin'southward Lane Academy which inspired his exploration of the dynamics between people and their environments. With this involvement, he depicted many portraits of extravagantly dressed figures in lush outdoor scenes.

The painting was influenced by Anthony van Dyck and demonstrated Gainsborough'southward first attempt at creating a van Dyck-style costume with the boy'southward azure outfit.

Jonathan Buttall (The Blueish Boy) (c. 1770) by Thomas Gainsborough;Thomas Gainsborough, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Gainsborough creates a contrast between the rustic background and the frail figure. The life-sized portrait illustrates exceptional technical skill and reflects his capable undertaking of the Rococo style of merging fantasy and reality. The fine and slashed layered brushwork had intricate tints of turquoise, lapis lazuli, cobalt, indigo, and slate– making the blueish electric against the stormy landscape scene.

The Blueish Boy was Gainsborough's masterpiece. Information technology challenged the traditional assumptions effectually aesthetics since blue was traditionally considered equally only a groundwork element, yet Gainsborough featured it as his master colour.

The painting reflected the traditions of the Rococo fashion, but it besides incorporated innovative features of realism such as the tightly laced buttons.

The painting was an immediate success. From its debut to the present twenty-four hours, the painting remains an inspirational piece of piece of work, having inspired everything from songs such as Blue Boy Blues by Cole Porter to 1 of the costumes of the main character Django in Quentin Tarantino's motion-picture show Django Unchained.

Self-Portrait with Harbinger Chapeau (1782) by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

Artist	Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
Date Painted	1782
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	97.8 cm x lxx.5 cm
Where It Is Currently Housed	National Gallery, London, United Kingdom

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun was one of the prolific painters of her time. Although some of Le Brun's paintings incorporated elements of the Neoclassical style, her portraits were largely considered Rococo-mode paintings. She was considered i of the more notable Rococo artists for a number of reasons; apart from her immense skills, she was Marie Antoinette's lead portrait artist. In Self-Portrait with Harbinger Hat, she painted a self-portrait where she managed to capture both coincidental and aristocratic elegance when depicting her own creative expertise.

This painting brilliantly shows off elements of the French Rococo fashion; the loose brushstrokes, which are particularly axiomatic when you expect at her hair; the pastel colors; and her youthful whimsical facial expression.

Self-Portrait with Harbinger Lid (after 1782) by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun; Elisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

Her face is adumbral softly which reveals her confident gaze directed at the viewer. Le Brun has achieved a deliberate nonchalance in her painting, as she portrayed herself as a serious artist. Her painting was influenced by Le Hat de Paille past Peter Paul Rubens.

During this time, women artists were mainly limited to painting portraits. Le Brun produced more than 220 mural paintings and 660 portraits during her time, with some of her paintings exhibited in world-renowned museums beyond the world. She was ane of the most renowned of the women Rococo artists. Le Brun battled many barriers by pursuing a career dominated by men, yet she prevailed and was one of the four women that were officially accepted in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, helping her become i of the outset women to gain international acclaim.

The famous Rococo paintings that were discussed in this article continue to hold significance to this day. While the list shows our selection of the top 10 most famous Rococo paintings, there are endless paintings from this movement that are worth looking at. If you lot enjoyed this article, nosotros call up yous might relish our other work and we encourage you to explore more than of our website!

Take a look at our Rococo painting webstory here!

Ofttimes Asked Questions

What Is the Rococo Period?

The Rococo flow was an opulent visual movement that was established in c. 1720 Paris and spread throughout France and other parts of Europe including Italia, Germany, Russia, and Austria. The Rococo artists of this period focused on attention to detail, with its candy-colored scenes of playful courting and extreme leisure. The movement spanned the majority of the 18th century. The word Rococo is derived from the French word rocaille, pregnant pebble or rock, and it refers to the stones and shells that were used to decorate the interiors of grottoes since the Renaissance. The term "rocaille" was used to depict the decorative and ornamental style that was featured in Rococo paintings.

What Influenced Rococo Art?

The Rococo movement began as a reaction to the more formal grandeur and heaviness of the Baroque style that preceded it, past contrasting it with delicate lightness and whimsy. King Louis XV was considered a "perpetual boyish", which is why the playful nature of the French Rococo was and then suitable for his reign. The Rococo movement became synonymous with the compelling Madame de Pompadour, the new King XV's mistress. Madame de Pompadour embodied the essence of the Rococo style, and she became associated with the move as she had authority over all things stylish and she was a notable patron of the movement.

What Are the Defining Features of Rococo Art?

The Rococo move was defined by its apply of natural motifs, curving lines, soft and pastel colors, and themes regarding nature, playfulness, lighthearted entertainment, youth, and love. The Rococo art paintings were characterized by their intricate ornamentation, exuberant decoration, and asymmetrical designs. Rococo artwork exaggerated the principles of theatricality and illusion.

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Source: https://artincontext.org/famous-rococo-paintings/