HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE III
ARC 214
YEAR II SEMESTER I
Lesson 2:
ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
COURSE OUTLINE
1. Baroque Architecture
2. ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
3. Neo-classical Architecture
4. Neo-gothic Architecture
5. The Industrial Revolution and the Industrial Age
6. Concrete and Reinforced concrete
7. Beaux Arts
8. Arts and Crafts movement
9. School of Chicago
o Skyscrapers and Steel Construction
10. Art Nouveau
11. Art Deco
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
BAROQUE VS ROCOCO
The Swing, 1767 by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Judith Beheading Holofernes by Carravagio
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
› Rococo also known as Late Baroque, is a style that
originated in France in the 18th century as a reaction to the
more formal and geometric form of the French Baroque
under Louis XIV.
› It is an exceptionally ornamental and dramatic style of
architecture, art and decoration which combines asymmetry,
scrolling curves, white and pastel colours, sculpted
moulding, and trompe-l'œil frescoes to create surprise and
the illusion of motion and drama.
› It is often described as the final expression of the Baroque
movement.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
› Rococo architecture originated in France during the reign of Louis XV, around the
1730s.
› The term "Rococo" is derived from the French word "rocaille," which means "rock" or
"pebble”.
› “Rocaille” was originally a method of
decoration, using pebbles, seashells,
and cement, which was often used to
decorate grottoes and fountains since
the Renaissance.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
› In the late 17th and early 18th century, rocaille became the
term for a kind of decorative motif or ornament that appeared
in the baroque period under Louis XIV, in the form of a
seashell interlaced with acanthus leaves.
› The carved or moulded seashell motif was combined with
palm leaves or twisting vines to decorate doorways, furniture,
wall panels and other architectural elements.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
› Rococo emerged as a reaction to the French Baroque ( French classicism) , which
was characterized by its great emphasis on regularity, symmetry and colossal order
of facades. By contrast, Rococo embraced a lighter, asymmetric and more playful
approach.
› The aristocracy of the time sought to express their wealth and power through a
style that was both luxurious and intimate, and Rococo fit the bill perfectly.
› Rococo style was popular when decorating salons used to entertain guests, and
became the height of fashion beginning in the 1720s
› The style later quickly evolved into a broader architectural and artistic movement
that spread throughout Europe.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Characteristics
› Mainly dealt with secular buildings
› Focus on interior spaces
› Curved lines: Rococo has a frilly style replete with serpentine curves, spirals, and
undulations, which was a reprieve from the straight lines of French classicism.
› Asymmetry
› Use of gold and Pastel colours
› Theatricality.
› Lightness and elegance due to use of pastel colours and light
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
› Extensive use of Stucco: Stucco was a common material used in the Rococo style.
Stucco could be molded to a shape and design to awe the viewer.
› Integration of Nature: Elements of flora and fauna were frequently seen throughout
Rococo paintings and pieces.
› Illusionistic ceiling painting (Trompe l'oeil/ quadratura)
› Heavy ornamentation
› Rococo was a highly integrated style, where architecture, painting, sculpture, and
the decorative arts all came together to create a unified aesthetic. This is
particularly evident in the way interiors were designed, with furniture, tapestries,
and paintings all contributing to the overall effect
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
FRENCH ROCOCO
› The French Rococo, appeared in Paris during the reign of Louis XV, and flourished
between about 1723 and 1759.
› The style was used particularly in salons, a new style of room designed to impress
and entertain guests.
› The characteristics of French Rococo included exceptional artistry, especially in
the complex frames made for mirrors and paintings, which were sculpted in plaster
and often gilded; and the use of vegetal forms (vines, leaves, flowers) intertwined
in complex designs. The furniture also featured sinuous curves and vegetal
designs.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
› The Rocaille style lasted in France until the mid-18th century, and while it became
more curving and vegetal, it never achieved the extravagant exuberance of the
Rococo in Bavaria, Austria and Italy as it was later rejected and turned the direction
of the more symmetrical and less flamboyant Neo-classicism.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, 1735, by Germain
Boffrand and Charles-Joseph Natoire
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Hall of Mirrors, Palais de Versailles
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ROCOCO IN GERMANY
› German architects adapted the Rococo style but made it far more asymmetric and
loaded with more ornate decoration than the French original.
› The German style was characterized by an explosion of forms that cascaded down
the walls. It featured molding formed into curves and counter-curves, twisting and
turning patterns, ceilings and walls with no right angles, and stucco foliage which
seemed to be creeping up the walls and across the ceiling. The decoration was
often gilded or silvered to give it contrast with the white or pale pastel walls.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Würzburg Residence, Bavaria, Germany
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Schloss Nymphenburg, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
The palace’s exterior is a blend of Rococo and Baroque, but most of the interior
spaces are elaborately decorated in the Rococo Style. The palace is surrounded by
the Nymphenburg Palace Park, which is one of the largest green spaces in all of
Munich.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Asam Church,
Munich, Bavaria,
Germany
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Zwiefalten Abbey – Zwiefalten, Germany
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
ROCOCO IN BRITAIN
› In Great Britain, rococo was called the "French taste" and
had less influence on design and the decorative arts than
in continental Europe, although its influence was felt in
such areas as Furniture, silverwork, porcelain, and silks.
› Mahogany made its appearance in England in about
1720, and immediately became popular for furniture,
along with walnut wood. The Rococo began to make an
appearance in England between 1740 and 1750. The
furniture of Thomas Chippendale was the closest to the
Rococo style.
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Catherine
Palace, St.
Petersburg, Russia
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Queluz National Palace, Quelez, Portugal
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History of Architecture III: ROCOCO ARCHITECTURE
Helbling House,Innsbruck, Austria
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