Rococo Style (Catholic Encyclopedia article)

Description

Rococo is a style of decoration that flourished in France during the regency after Louis XIV's death, roughly 1715 to 1750. Its name came in the nineteenth century from French emigres. They used it whimsically for the old shellwork manner, style rocaille, then seen as old Frankish against simpler styles that followed. It might be called the climax or degeneration of the Baroque, joined to French grace, turning grotesques into curves, lines, and bands under Jean Berain.

It touched building less than decoration, dissolving interior forms such as pilasters and architraves in free ornament, and shaping space, facades, portals, doors, and windows. Germany took it up with still more arbitrary fancy until 1770 or later, while England gave it no welcome. To a taste grown weary of heavy Baroque, the small and light pleased most. Walls, ceilings, furniture, metal, and porcelain joined in one ensemble, with shell curves and hidden construction under stucco.

Catalog record

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13106a.htm