The Rococo period is primarily defined via the reign of Louis XV. As opposed to the grandiose and theatrical settings of the Baroque, Rococo works were set on a smaller stage, with patrons sponsoring domestic art for their residencies. Many of these works are referred to as “fete gallants”, usually consisting of romantic subjects, the idealization of nature, and a celebration of love and other emotions.
Hotel Particuliers, or what later became salons, were intimate townhouses serving as residencies of the French aristocracy. Artworks made for these salons were lighthearted in nature. Two of these fete gallantes particularly stood out to me.
Jean-Antoine Watteau’s A Pilgrimage to Cythera is based in a classical setting, the island of Cythera being the location of the Birth of Venus, and therefore recognized as the island of love in classical mythology. I particularly enjoyed the delicate, pale colors and gentle gradations of this work that add a relaxed, nonchalant feel to the painting.
Francois Boucher’s Portrait of Madame de Pompadour is an example of a portrait of a femme savant, showcasing her elegance, status, opulence, and intellect as Lady-in-Waiting. The sheer scale of her dress, the light blue and the shimmering fabric demonstrates her grandeur, while the library setting, the book, and the stationary convey her intellectual achievements. Additionally, the subject is associated with Venus in the portrait, through the inclusion of cupid, and the donning of pearls (from the sea, from which Venus was born). She is draped over a chaise longue, her relaxed posture further adding to her elegance and nonchalant nature.