Rococo

Rococo is a visual language of refined lightness, play and pleasure that arose in the early eighteenth century as an intimate, chamber-scale response to the solemn grandeur of the Baroque. Its core idea is to turn art into a source of exquisite delight, to celebrate love, flirtation, luxury and the fleeting joy of existence. Formally, Rococo is distinguished by asymmetry, capricious flowing lines, the shell motif (rocaille), plant scrolls and mirror-like glints. The palette is built on tender pastel tones — sky blue, pink, pearl grey, cream and gold. Composition is often dynamic yet free of pathos, playful and light instead. Its motifs are gallant fêtes, pastorals, boudoir scenes, cupids and the ancient goddesses of love. Technically, its painting favours a light, almost sketch-like brushstroke, transparency and delicacy. Rococo merged organically with the decorative arts, interiors, porcelain and furniture. Its leading masters were the Frenchmen Antoine Watteau, creator of melancholy "fêtes galantes"; François Boucher, with his sensual mythological scenes; and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, with the sparkling "The Swing" and his amorous subjects. In portraiture, Rococo elegance was embodied by Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. The movement reigned at the European courts until the triumph of austere Neoclassicism. Today Rococo is valued for its decorative virtuosity, elegance and the hedonistic sensuality of its imagery.