Rococo art is a French artistic style of the 18th century. It developed as a criticism of the Baroque style which focused on strict geometry and images of grandeur. The revolution of Rococo framed art didn't just affect art; it also affected the interior design options of French nobility.
Like Baroque paintings, Rococo artists used ornate styles to depict their subjects. However, where Baroque was rigid, Rococo was fluid, and replacing the rich colors and triumphantly victorious themes of the Baroque with pastel colors and curving forms were a signature look of Rococo artists. Themes of love and mythological depictions of cherubs and ancient gods.
Although it wasn't blatant, there were also themes of whimsically naughty eroticism, which was used by artists to emphasize their separation from the traditions of French artists who represented the church and state. Portraiture was also popular in this art category and was depicted in sensitive and delicately colored ways that was ideal for French noblewoman of the time.
Jean-Antoine Watteau is credited for being the first famous Rococo painter. His sensitively rendered works such as 'Studies of Three Women' and 'Woman Seated with a Fan' served as a template for later artists. His Rococo paintings served to inspire such amazing artists as Jean-Honore Fragonard and Francois Boucher, who epitomized the mythological aspects of this art form.
Interior design was highly affected by Rococo art. The characteristics of this design style included flowing drapes, heavy classical furniture, and ornamentation using curving forms like shells, leaves, and flames. It also encouraged using lighter, airier color palettes instead of the dark richness of traditional interior design styles. Modern designers still draw from the inspirations of Rococo art, using the same principles to develop brightly scenic rooms that focus on relaxation and openness in their design. Because of this, the pastel, curving forms of Rococo artists are still in high demand for personal decoration, particularly for such intimate areas as bedrooms and studies, although the designs can also be used for familial settings like living and dining areas, as well as dens.
