Art I Love

I've been meaning to blog about this sculpture for a long time but I always forget. 

This sculpture (housed in a museum somewhere in France) marks the meetings and positive relationship between Louis XVI's France and the new American Revolutionaries. 

What makes this piece significant is not it's style or technicalities but instead the moment it captures. When Benjamin Franklin went to France he was greeted warmly by an enthusiastic French population. Franklin was viewed as modern and smart. Louis XVI was enamored with Franklin because Louis XVI was very interested in sciences and all things new in that vein. 

Louis XVI gets a bad rap in the history books, but the truth is, he was not a dumb man---quite the opposite. Louis XVI was a man who was not next in line for the throne, but due to the death of his father and older brother the throne was literally thrown into his lap. Louis was an intelligent boy who excelled at the sciences and languages. He was very tall and horribly near-sighted. He gets his reputation for being dumb because due to court rules he wasn't allowed to wear his glasses during the day at Versailles. Can you imagine? From sun up to sun down someone who desperately needs glasses is not allowed to wear them. That just seems unfair. 

However, my most favorite thing about this sculpture which puts it in the category of one of my favorite pieces of art, is the way the two men are juxtaposed. Louis is dressed regally and traditionally, whereas Franklin wears the modern clothes of the new America. It is this contrasting of men, styles, and thus countries that I love the most. 

- Grace

In Defense of Rococo

Rococo (or the correct term Rocaille) gets a bad rap. It's important to understand Rocaille in context. Before Louis XVI introduced Rocaille this type of furniture was the style: 

Heavy, symmetrical and squared off. 

When Louis XVI took the throne he was a man who enjoyed his hobbies, women, and frivolity. The art he ushered in followed suit. 

Charles Cressent

Cartel

1745

Paris

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

Sevres

Vessel

1760

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

Francois-Thomas Germain

Pair of Fire-dogs with Perfume Burner

1757

Paris

Photo courtesy of the Louvre

The goal of Rocaille art and decorative arts was to celebrate frivolity and light-hearted themes. Pastel colors were the order of the day as well as asymmetry and any element to the art that added surprise. Bureaus had storied themes encrusted on them with asymmetrical bronze-work. Handles and keyholes were hidden within the design. The piece of furniture was no longer just a piece of furniture but instead a delightful conversation piece. 

Entire rooms were designed in the Rocaille style with meandering gild work climbing the walls. Lit candles flashed off the gold work and added an effect that was unknown before. 

Rocaille is a tricky design concept because today it is so opposite the post-shaker style we have adopted in America but Rocaille must be understood in its context. It must also be noted that the amount of craftsmanship that went into Rocaille was extraordinary and something only the very wealthy could have. 

Would I chose Rocaille furnishings and decorative arts for my own home- probably not, but if I lived in 1750 France it would be a style I coveted and lusted after. 

What are your thoughts on Rocaille? I'd love to hear them.

- Grace