Paris presents Rococo
This time I open the door to the Rococo ambiance, - Welcome!
Rococo is the younger brother of Baroque. As his parent, it is theatrical, very ornamental, even more asymmetric and dramatic. Always having a strong need to impress and amaze. The word “rococo” was first used as the variation of the French word “rocaille”. It was a decoration method using seashells, pebbles and cement. However, rococo had its own personality and style distinctive from his predecessor.
We find here new for Baroque Chinese and Japanese motifs, wider than in Baroque use of flowers and asymmetrical curves, more graceful lines. For those who like the flowering Art Nouveau, you would probably find some similar traits with Rococo.
Religious establishments open wide their arms to Rococo. Its trompe-l'œil frescoes are being depicted on the ceilings of churches to make the believer feel observed by the Saints and Angels from the immensity of the blue sky up above.
The French Rococo appeared in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV. Later this style was wildly used in noble salons for the strong esthetic effect. A nice example of it you see in the photo of the article. It is the salon of the Princess in Hôtel de Soubise designed by Germain Boffrand and Charles Natoire. As you see the French Rococo is especially marked with gilded mirrors and paintings, complex decorations made of vines, leaves, and flowers. Another excellent example of the style in Paris is L'Hôtel de Matignon; 57 rue de Varenne, in the 7e arrondissement. The ex Hôtel Particulier, is today the official working place of the actual French prime minister Jean Castex. It should be said that the exteriors of rococo are not as impressive as its interiors. For that reason don’t miss the museum of Cognacq- Jay in Paris!
The one (and not the only) who started the battle against Rococo was the mistress of Louis the XV, - Madame de Pompadour. She sends her brother the Marquis de Marigny, accompanied by the delegation of artists and scholars to Italy to see the recent discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum, and make a tour of other classical monuments.
They come back with a great enthusiasm about classical art. Consequently, the man becomes the general of King’s buildings and turns official French architecture toward the neoclassical style.
In the meanwhile Rococo is slowly fading. It is often being criticized by the famous philosopher Voltaire for its superficial, degenerate and even ridiculous aspect.
Napoleon the 1st government swept Rococo completely away with its utter preferences towards the neoclassical architecture.
Despite the new tendencies for the revived Greek and roman style, Rococo is undoubtedly worth admiring when you travel through time and epochs in Paris.
Soon its frivolous grotesque party will be calmed down by sober neoclassicism. But that will be our next artistic voyage…
