Rococo and Neoclassicism

Unit Overview

In this unit, you will learn about the difference between Rococo and Neoclassical art. The Baroque and the Renaissance had an impact that inspired a further study of Greek and Roman ideals. As you will see, many artists who were commissioned painted idealized conceptions of royal figures and historical personas. After you have acquainted yourself with the artwork, you will study the context of this tumultuous period in history.

I. Rococo and Neoclassicism

Emerging in about 1700, Rococo emphasized elegance, frivolity, and decorative charm. The greatest painters during this period were Watteau, Boucher, and Tiepolo.

The style of Rococo painting is marked by a high-hearted and decorative approach. The subjects of the Baroque period were still popular, but they were painted in a more playful light. Amorous themes were very popular. Young couples were depicted happily in love. In narrative subjects, the story was often amplified with cherubs, or by statues that seemed to come alive and comment on the scene around them.

Neoclassicism was the dominant style in the 18th and 19th centuries. Unlike the Rococo style, it was very serious and high-minded. It was a time when once again, artists resurrected the ideals of the Greek and Roman standard of seriousness. They liked to emphasize the qualities of Rome which were “noble in simplicity and calm in grandeur.” Those are the words of Joachim Winckelmann, a German scholar whose writings played a major part in spreading the ideals of Neoclassicism.

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Jean-Antoine Watteau pioneered the Rococo style, completing his masterpiece Embarkation for Cythera in 1717. Inspired by a contemporary play, this is the greatest of Watteau’s work. Cythera is where Venus, the goddess of love, is said to have come ashore after being born in the sea.

The amorous pilgrims pair off and prepare to leave the island of love. A woman gazes back wistfully at a couple, who are still wrapped up in each other.

Watteau: Gilles (1718) A “Gilles” was a traditional type of clown who portrayed an innocent fool. In small skits, a donkey was often led across the floor to emphasize his stupidity.

Francois Boucher

Boucher’s paintings convey blatant sensuality with a wit and playfulness that was highly esteemed in royal circles. Mademoiselle O’Murphy (1751) was a mistress of Louis XV. She is on a decorative bed with rumpled sheets- Rococo artists loved to create decorative disorder.

Madame De Pompadour (1758) This woman was the principle mistress of King Louis XV. She became Boucher’s chief patroness, as she loved his works. He painted several portraits of her, and she involved him in a wide range of other projects, including the decoration of regal residences.

Jean-Honore Fragonard- The Swing (1767)

Fragonard’s art represents the final flourishing of the Rococo in France. The Swing shows a private fantasy that was commissioned by a curator who wanted a picture of his mistress. The statue in the foreground is raising a finger to his lips, as though sharing in the affair.

Etienne-Maurice Falconet – The Bather (1757)

This was Falconet’s most popular work, and it was reproduced in many sizes. Porcelain works were very popular during the Rococo period. The Serves porcelain factory was established in 1738 and prompted by Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress.

Giambattista Tiepolo – Tiepolo was the finest Italian artist of the Rococo period. He was the son of a shipping merchant, but he quickly learned that it was not to be his profession. He was commissioned to paint frescoes in the Archbishop’s palace in Udine.

The Marriage of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to Beatrice of Burgundy (1751) – This painting is one of many to decorate the Imperial Hall of the palace at Wurzburg. It is a grandiose, allegorical vision of the marriage. On the ceiling, Beatrice is brought to the ceremony by Apollo’s chariot.

The Road to Calvary (1740) In this moving Biblical scene, Christ has collapsed on his way to Calvary under the weight of the cross. St. Veronica holds her veil in the foreground while two thieves look on the scene with compassion.

Thomas Gainsborough- a giant 18th century British artist, Gainsborough was intuitive and impulsive. His pictures are always called “fancy” because of his doll-like figures.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews (1748) Although this is a portrait, the entire right half is a lovingly observed landscape. The figures are mannequin-like, typical of Gainsborough’s earlier works. An area of Mrs. Andrew’s lap was left unpainted. A popular theory is that the space was intended for a bird shot by Mr. Andrews- but his wife would not let it sully her dress!

NEOCLASSICISM

Jacques-Louis David- He was the leading artist of the Neoclassical movement. He was as passionate about politics as he was about art. He became a national celebrity for his republican fervor. His stance almost led him to the guillotine, but he escaped. When Napoleon was in power, he devoted his services to him. After Napoleon’s defeat, he went into exile in Belgium, where he continued his work.

The Oath of the Horatii (1784) Three Roman brothers take an oath to their father as they prepare to fight to the death against three enemy champions. Their sisters grieve- one of them is betrothed to a member of the opposing family. No matter what the outcome of the fight is, loved ones are bound to perish.

The Death of Marat (1793) The revolutionary leader Marat had to spend long hours in a bathtub because of a skin condition. In July 1793, he was stabbed to death in his bath by a royalist. David painted this tribute.

Since Marat used his bathroom as an office, he holds a letter. The old crate which he used as a table was a deliberate contrast with royalist riches. David is illustrating his friend’s humble principles.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps (1801) This picture is a striking piece of propaganda. Napoleon wanted to be shown “calm on a fiery steed” and David obliged him. He is an image of dashing authority here, crossing the same Alps that Hannibal did. In reality, Napoleon crossed the Alps on a mule.

The Death of Socrates (1790) Socrates was a famous Philosopher who was sentenced to death. Here he is about to drink the poison, and he assures his followers that death is not the end.

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Ingres (pronounced ANG) was fanatical in how careful he was not to show a brushstroke. He is known as one of the greatest draftsmen in art’s history, and said a painting should be as smooth as the skin of an onion. His colors had enamel-like polish, and the folds of clothing always fell in precise linear rhythm. He painted skin like porcelain, always with a delicate quality.

Princesse Albert de Broglie, née Joséphine‐Eléonore‐Marie‐Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn, 1853

Madame Moitessier (1856) In true classical fashion, she sits in the pose of a goddess.

Antonio Canova- Canova was the greatest and most successful of all the Neoclassical sculptors. He was employed by many of the crowned heads in Europe, and well as by the Church. Cupid and Psyche is one of his most tender sculptures. Cupid revives his swooning lover with a kiss.

II. In Context- The French Revolution

The most turbulent period in French history began in 1789, when rebel politicians formed a new government- The National Assembly- and rioters stormed the Bastille prison. The insurgents swept away the powers of the monarchy and the Church, but divisions appeared within their ranks.

Extremist groups took control, unleashing the “Terror” of 1793. Thousands went to the guillotine. By 1795, the violence began to subside, leaving an enormous power vacuum. The void was filled by Napoleon. The French had traded one monarch for another monarch! With such chaos, however, the need to restore some sort of order was essential.

It was during this time that Jacques-Louis David painted. In the early years of the Revolution, David was a member of the extremist Jacobin group led by Robespierre, and he became an energetic example of the politically committed artist. He was elected to the National Convention in 1792, in time to vote for the execution of Louis XVI. By 1793, as a member of the art

commission, he was virtually the art dictator of France and was nicknamed “the Robespierre of the brush.”

II. Timeline

You are required to pick TWO works of art from each unit and add them to your timeline. When you have done so, you will upload your word document to the question section so that your teacher can check on it. Add on to the timeline you received in the first unit.