Style Of Art

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Recommended: Historical events during rococo

Branon Ryals
Professor Gregory Caicco
HUM 2052
15 May 2014
The rococo style of painting is defined as “a style of painting that emphasized irregularity and asymmetry, movement and curvature, but on a smaller, more intimate scale than the baroque” (Hunt, pg. 565) style of art and architecture. This style of painting was a direct result of the population becoming more literate and wealthy. Artists didn’t need to rely on being commissioned by the church or the government for their artwork, instead it was the private citizen who would pay for the artist for their work. This lead to art that could provide more of a social commentary, or be more political in nature. The artwork would depict small intimate scenes from the daily lives of the wealthy and middle class in the 18th century. The style of art “mirrored the extravagance and amorality of the idle rich of the 18th century” (Johnson). While the rococo style was extremely popular in France, it was looked down upon by most of the British. They considered the style of art to be pornographic in nature and women who were caught viewing this artwork could stand have had their reputations called into question (Johnson).
In “The Swing” by Jean-Honore Fragonard, we are presented with the seemingly innocent image of a lady being push on a swing with a gentleman laying in the bushes underneath her. While at first glance, it is hard to wonder why this painting done in the rococo style would be considered scandalous. Perhaps in this day and age it wouldn’t be, but during the 18th century, it would represent something entirely different to the people that viewed it. The man lying in the bushes is actually able to see u the young lady’s dress as she swings over him. At the same time, the man in ...

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...ng with their culture when they were ruled by leaders who only cared for themselves.

References
François Boucher. Nude on a Sofa. n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. .
Hunt, Lynn, et al. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures. Boston, New York:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. Print.
Ingres' La Grand Odalisque. n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. .
Jacques-Louis David: The Oath of the Horatii. n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. .
Jean-Honore Fragonard: The Swing. n.d. Web. 15 May 2014. .
Johnson, Jeff. “Rococo, Neoclassicism, and the Seeds of Revolution.” Melbourne: Florida
Institute of Technology, May 2014, Lecture

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