The last phase of French Baroque architecture began in Paris in the 1720s and spread throughout Europe by the mid-18th century. It featured more delicate decorative elements and lighter colors as a reaction to the heavy decoration and deep colors of the Baroque architecture. This new style, known as rococo architecture, was characterized by the use of light colors and intricate, irregular, curvy ornamentation. Although it was originally used as a negative term by later Neoclassicalists in the 1790s, rococo became a popular architectural label.
What is Rococo Architecture
Rococo architecture is an elaborate and ornamental style that emerged in the early to mid-18th century, following the Baroque period. It is characterized by its emphasis on decoration, curves, and asymmetry, creating spaces that are light, elegant, and playful. Rococo architecture is often associated with the aristocracy and the burgeoning middle class, reflecting the cultural shifts of the time.
The art and decoration of Rococo combine symmetry, delicate use of light colors, sweeping curves, gilding, sculptural moldings, and Trompe-l’œil frescoes to create an illusion of drama and motion. Primarily, Rococo is a style of Residential Interior decoration.
The word rococo is derived from the French rocaille (“shell”). It refers to a method of decoration using seashells, pebbles, and cement.
Span of Rococo Architecture
Rococo Architecture spans from the early to mid-18th century(1700-1790).
Characteristics /Features of Rococo Architecture
The characteristics of Rococo Architecture establish a sense of dramatic emotion with energy and action. Rococo ornament is derived from natural forms – shells, flowers, as well as seaweeds.
- Rich Textures/Rich surface treatments
- Light Palate of colors
- Asymmetrical spaces
- Curve/sweeping forms – specially Domes
- Twisting elements
- Irregular or complicated shapes
- Concave and convex surfaces to mimic undulation
- Grand stairways
- Exaggerated Grandeur
- Use of oval, both in plan and in ornamentation
- Trompe-I’oeil treatments in interiors
- Groupings of columns and niches
- Lavish, dramatic paintings are featured on ceilings and walls.
- Imagery that created optical illusions.
Notable Architects of Rococo Style
A few notable architects featuring Rococo architecture are-
- François de Cuvilliés
- Balthasar Neumann
- Johann Michael Fischer
- Alessandro Galilei
- Nicolas Pineau
Examples of Rococo Architecture
Amalienburg (1734-1739)
- Building: Amalienburg
- Function/Use: Hunting lodge
- Location: Surrounding Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, South Germany
- Date of construction: 1734-1739
- Architect: François de Cuvilliés
- Historical Influence: Baroque Architecture
- Key Features: Carvings of Rococo, Large mirrors, and silver plating.
Structure and Facade:
Constructed on the grounds of the Nymphenburg Palace, outside Munich, the Amalienburg was built for Amila, wife of the elector of Bavaria. Inspired by the work of Versailles, the French artists have worked to their fullest extent in this facade of the hunting pavilion to express the fine Rococo architecture.
The interiors of Amalienburg are lavishly decorated with stucco work, delicate frescoes, and ornate carvings. The rooms exhibit the characteristic lightness and elegance of Rococo design. A delicate layer of silver filigree set against an azure blue background, silver leaf on the delicate paneling, a profusion of carved and gilded stucco work – indeed no other Rococo interior ever surpassed this work. One of the most famous rooms in Amalienburg is the Hall of Mirrors. This room is adorned with mirrored walls and delicate ceiling paintings, creating a sense of spaciousness and visual enchantment.
Queluz National Palace (1747)
- Building: Queluz National Palace
- Function/Use: Residence for Portuguese Royal Family
- Location: Queluz, Portugal
- Date of construction: Began in early1747 and continued will the 18th century
- Architect: Mateus Vicente de Oliveira
- Historical Influence: Renaissance Architecture, Baroque Architecture
- Key Features: Luxurious interiors, extensive lawns, Rococo style fountains that depict deities from Greek Mythology.
Structure and Facade:
The palace is notable for its beautiful architecture, exquisite gardens, and its historical significance. It is a fine example of Portuguese Rococo architecture. Two low(single-storied), symmetrical wings flank on either side of a principal/central block which is two-storied. Thus it forms a three-sided courtyard with hanging gardens. The main section features large rectangular columns crowned by a triangular pediment. Further, it is externally decorated with travertine and delicately carved low-relief design patterns over the windows.
In the Interiors, walls, and ceilings were painted to depict allegorical and historical scenes. They are adorned with intricate decorations, gilded woodwork, and traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles.
Catherine Palace (Mid-1700’s)
- Building: Catherine Palace
- Function/Use: Summer residence of Russian tsars.
- Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
- Date of construction: Mid-1700’s
- Architect: Bartolomeo Rastrelli
- Historical Influence: Renaissance Architecture, Baroque Architecture.
- Key Features: Gardens with terraces, stone staircases
Structure and Facade:
The Catherine Palace, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, is a magnificent example of Rococo architecture. Its facade and interiors exhibit opulence and decorative richness, the characteristic features of this style. With a pastel blue and white color scheme, the facade is adorned with a profusion of decorative elements, including sculpted reliefs, intricate moldings, and ornate carvings. Its central portion is often symmetrical, with a central axis and balanced architectural elements on either side. Windows and railings decorated with carvings contribute to the overall aesthetic expression.
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (1749–1774)
- Building: Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Function/Use: Roman Catholic Church
- Location: Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Date of construction: 1749–1774
- Architect: Aleijadinho
- Historical Influence: Renaissance Architecture, Baroque Architecture.
- Key Features: Gilded carvings and high reliefs
Structure and Facade:
The facade is featured with a Soapstone frontispiece above the main entrance of the church. The interior is particularly rich in decorative elements, featuring intricate woodwork, gold leaf, and sculptural details that exemplify the exuberance and elegance of Rococo art. It also includes rococo art, paintings, and sculpture.
Helbling House (1732)
- Building: Helbling House
- Function/Use: Private Residence
- Location: Innsbruck, Austria
- Date of construction: Completed in 1732
- Historical Influence: Gothic architecture, Baroque Architecture.
- Key Features: Rococo decorations on the façade
Structure and Facade
A Baroque façade with Rococo decorations – the bows, oriel windows/exquisite bay windows, tympana, sculptures as well as shells – all these make the building unique in its Rococo architectural style.
Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas (18th century)
- Building: Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas
- Function/Use: Presently as González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts
- Location: Valencia, Spain
- Date of construction: 18th century.
- Architect: Hipólito Rovira Meri, Ignacio Vergara, Luis Domingo
- Historical Influence: Baroque Architecture, Gothic Architecture
Structure and Facade:
This palace is renowned for its elaborate facade, which is considered one of the most impressive Rococo architecture facades in Europe. Previously the palace was a Gothic structure in the 15th century but later it was renovated, mainly the entrance was renovated by Valencian architect Ignacio Vergara. The facade is adorned with elaborate sculptures, intricate stonework, and decorative elements that reflect the wealth and status of the Marqués de Dos Aguas. Its design is asymmetrical with floral motifs that surround the window. These create a sense of movement and fluidity.
Examples of Interiors – Rococo Art and Architecture
Basilica of Vierzehnheiligen (1743-1772)
- Building: Basilica of Vierzehnheiligen, Dedicated to Fourteen Holy Helpers
- Function/Use: Church
- Location: Bavaria, Southern Germany
- Date of construction: 1743-1772
- Architect: Johann Balthasar Neumann
- Historical Influence: Greek, Renaissance, and Baroque Architecture.
- Key Features: Gilded tendrils, paintings, and spaces manipulating light.
The interior plan is a series of interlocked and overlapping ovals with curved arcades, capped by ellipsoidal domes. White piers and vaults are covered with gilded tendrils as well as paintings. Despite the columns painted in plaster called scagliola, they resemble beautifully veined marble columns. It is designed to connect different areas and control the light, reflecting it from the inside of the surrounding pillars and filling the inside with a gentle glow. Inside, there is delicate and delightful artificial beauty, which is very different from the everyday world outside. For people entering the church, it must have seemed like a vision of paradise, giving them a glimpse of heaven.
Hôtel de Soubise (1732-1745)
- Building: Hôtel de Soubise
- Function/Use: Hotel/City Mansion
- Location: Paris, France
- Date of construction: 1732-1745
- Architect: Pierre-Alexis Delamair, Interiors by French Architect – Germain Boffrand
A unique aspect of this building is that it features exteriors with Baroque Architecture and Interiors with Rococo Architecture. The image shown above shows one of the splendid and most lavishly decorated rooms known as Salon de la Princesse. It is an oval chamber in which the walls and ceilings are embellished with intricate Rococo carvings, gilded boiserie, paintings as well as mirrors. Delicately carved woodwork, gilded moldings, and elaborate stucco decorations are the primary features of its interiors. These create a sense of visual richness and complexity. Also, the combination of gilded paneling, white walls, mirrors, and large windows allows for the play of natural light.
Pilgrimage Church of Wies (1745–54)
- Building: Pilgrimage Church of Wies
- Function/Use: Pilgrimage church
- Location: Wies, Bavaria, Germany
- Date of construction: 1745–54
- Architect: Dominikus Zimmermann
- Historical Influence: Renaissance Architecture, Baroque Architecture.
- Key Features: Splendid sanctuary, all kinds of art forms were used – Architecture, sculpture, carving, stucco work, painting as well as ironwork.
- Universal Value: UNESCO World Heritage Site
A remarkable and splendid stucco decoration, lively colors of the painting that enhance sculpted detail, and frescoes reflect richness, grandeur, and refinement. Light from the windows is cleverly diffused directly and indirectly. The ceilings are painted in trompe-l’œil, motifs, and figures in which the angels appear to fly upwards toward the sky(heaven).
Conclusion
The legacy of Rococo endures as a testament to an era that valued elegance, ornamentation, and a departure from the monumental styles of the past. In its celebration of the decorative arts and its embrace of the secular, Rococo architecture remains a captivating chapter in the rich tapestry of architectural history.
Leave a Reply