Baroque and Rococo

Baroque is an artistic style of unity imposed upon rich heavy detail.

A defining statement of what Baroque signifies in painting is provided by the series of paintings executed by Peter Paul Rubens for Marie de Medici at the Luxembourg Palace in Paris.

In Baroque sculpture was a dynamic movement and energy of human forms. These sculptures often had multiple ideal viewing angels. The characteristic Baroque sculpture added extra-sculptural elements, for example concealed lighting, or water fountains.

Baroque architecture was taken up with enthusiasm in central Germany (Ludwigsburg Palace and Zwinger Dresden), Austria and Russia (Peterhof). In England the culmination of Baroque architecture was embodied in works by Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanburgh and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Many examples of Baroque architecture and town planning are found in other European towns, and in Latin America. Town planning of this period featured radiating avenues intersecting in squares, which took ones from Baroque garden plans.

In modern usage, the term “Baroque” may still be used, usually describing works of art, craft, or design that are thought to have excessive ornamentation or complexity of line.

Baroque was superseded in many centres by the Rococo style, beginning in France in the late 1720s, especially for interiors, paintings and the decorative arts.

The 1730 represented the height of Rococo development in France. The style had spread beyond architecture and furniture to painting and sculpture.

The Rococo style spread with French artists and engraved publications. It was readily received in the Catholic parts of Germany, Bohemia, and Austria, where it was merged with the lively German Baroque traditions. In Great Britain Rococo was always thought of as the “French taste”. It was never widely adopted as an architectural style, although its influence was strongly felt in such areas as silverwork, porcelain, and silk. Thomas Chippendale transformed British furniture design through his adaptation and refinement of the style.

It is not surprising, that French Rococo art was at home indoors. Metalwork, porcelain figures, frills and especially furniture rose to new pre-eminence as the French upper class thought to outfit their homes in the new fashionable style.

Rococo style took pleasure in asymmetry, a taste that was new to European style.

During the Rococo period, furniture was lightened, physically and visually. The idea of furniture had evolved to a symbol of status and took on a role in comfort and versatility. Furniture could be easily moved around for gatherings.

In general, Rococo is an entirely interior style because the wealthy and aristocratic moved back to Paris from Versailles.

Though Rococo originated in the purely decorative arts, the style showed clearly in painting. The painters used delicate colours and curving forms, decorating their canvases with cherubs and myths of love. Portraiture was also popular among Rococo painters.

Sculpture was another area where the Rococo was widely adopted. Etienne-Maurice Falconet is widely considered as one of the best representatives of French Rococo. This style was best expressed through delicate porcelain sculpture. Falconet himself was a director of a famous porcelain factory.

ІV Answer the questions:

1. What kind of style is Baroque?

2. Whose works signify the Baroque style in painting?

3. Where was Baroque architecture taken up with enthusiasm?

4. Where can examples of Baroque architecture be found?

5. What does the term “Baroque” mean in modern usage?

6. What style was Baroque superseded by?

7. Who promoted the Rococo style spreading?

8. Where was this style popular?

9. How was Rococo embodied in furniture?

10. Why is Rococo considered to be an entirely interior style?

V Complete the sentences with the words from the text:

1. In Baroque sculpture was....

2. In modern usage, the term “Baroque”....

3. The Rococo style spread....

4. It was never widely adopted as....

5. It is not surprising....

6. Though Rococo originated in....

VI Find the English equivalents to the words:

художній стиль, картини, скульптури, фонтани, планування міст, витвори мистецтва, ремесло, надмірний орнамент, інтер’єр, вплив, пристосування, удосконалення.

VII Make up the sentences with the words and phrases:

a defining statement, to be provided by, dynamic movement, concealed lighting, culmination of Baroque architecture, to be embodied, town planning, in modern usage, to be superseded, spread, German Baroque traditions.

VIII Give definitions to the words:

works of art, craft, silverwork, indoors, furniture.

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