Today we discussed Rococo Eighteenth-century art. We began by discussing the Hotel particulier. The nobility goes to the city, and we notice that things are beginning to change in the way they look. More particularly the interior is seeking much more attention. We notice that wood panels are being decorated in an elegant fashion and there is specific detail with the placement of furniture. We then discussed the difference between the Poussinistes and the Rubenistes. There is a difference in line vs color and intellect vs emotions. The first artist we discussed today was Jean-Antoine Watteau, specifically A Pilgrimage to Cythera. Its important to note that artists are now beginning to choose their own titles. Specifically, the use of “A” in this title symbolizes the fact that this pilgrimage happens regularly. Also, they are all couples and interacting differently. We notice a woman in particular looking back. This could be a sign that she is reluctant to leave, almost reminiscing on her time on the island of Venus as depicted by the statue. This is an escapist painting; it is not about reality. It is sort of a magical island. Another work by Jean- Antoine that I particularly enjoyed was Gersaints Signboard. In this work there are many other works displayed in a store. Specifically, we see works by Titian. There is also a dog biting his flees, signaling streets to the store. Furthermore, we see Louis XIV being boxed, a symbol that his era is over. We also saw some works by Jean-Honore and Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Honores’ The Swing is a boudoir painting and the woman in the middle is almost emitting the light. Jean-Baptiste’s Back from the Market was a work made for the bourgeois. I find this work very interesting because it is a different side to art we don’t normally see. This is like Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. We concluded by discussing the Encyclodpedie and the desire to embrace knowledge.