A balanced diet is necessary for our image consumption. Artwork that promotes moral integrity is like ingesting a nutritious protein shake, allowing the viewer to partake in rich, scholastic contemplation. Mid-18th century France was a time filled with multiple visual “menu” options; empirical elements from Enlightenment philosophy and classical antiquity shown through Neoclassicism. Yet occasionally it is fitting to enjoy art as a pleasurable, strawberry milkshake; taking a step back from cultural stressors and anxieties, and instead indulging in light-hearted, aestheically-pleasing illustrations. The French Rococo movement from 1730 to 1770 requires taking a break from difficult themes and motifs in the art world, and rather entering into an ethereal dream land consumed with romance, happiness and playfulness.
This exhibition includes paintings that reflect the luxurious lifestyle of the French aristocracy, allowing the viewer to participate in the creative fantasy of this time. Influenced by the opera, dancing, and outdoor entertainment, this artwork was created to be enjoyable and pleasant to the viewer. The Rococo period betrayed the rich meaning behind the art of the enlightenment and neoclassicism periods, and instead offered flamboyant narratives resembling the French nobility. In this show, the viewer is encouraged to delight in the lack of political and religious implications. Joy is to be found in the enchanting mythologies, the abundance of nature, and the passionate relationships. Although thought-provoking artistry and cultural values importantly contribute to how we understand art, every so often it is commendable that the viewer should engage in viewing art through a whimsical lens.
Triumph of Venus
Francois Boucher
1740
Oil on canvas
Museum collection: The National Museum (Stockholm, Sweden): Room 1603 (18th century)
Boucher creates a mythological scene of Venus relaxed on the shore while nymphs, winged cupids, and tritons float around her. The light shades of pinks and blues develop a lightness to the painting, causing feelings of airiness and sensuality. The lush foliage, glowing bodies, and relaxed postures mimic the values of the time: leisure and pleasure. The viewer is invited to feast on the entertaining scene of puttis playing in the sky and imagine the conversion between the creatures, similar to enjoying a fairytale.
The Toilette of Venus
Francois Boucher
1751
Oil on canvas
The Met: 20.155.9
Venus, the goddess of love, is leisurely resting on a sofa as three angelic babies linger around her. Her relaxed posture and facial expression gives her an appearance of contentment. In this naturalistic, idealized painting, the artist uses the formal elements of line and color to create emphasis around Venus. With the diverging gazes, gestural movement, and embellishments, the viewer is drawn towards the female nude. The doves serve as symbols of purity and innocence that compliment Venus’ delicately white skin, powdered gray hair, and the soft white feathers. The viewer is allowed to feast on the luxurious colors, implied lines, and mythological references to share in experience of beauty and adoration.
Diana and Endymion
Jean-Honoré Fragonard
1754
Oil on canvas
The Timken Museum: 1960.6.2
Diana, the virgin goddess of the hunt, is shown coming to kiss the mythodical shepherd Endymion who sleeps eternally to preserve his youth and beauty. Fragonard exhibits mastery of the Rococo style by adding a difficult challenge of creating a whimsical scene during the night. He maintains the comforting, peaceful sensations through the use of the bright moon illuminating the background, the rich foliage, and pastel colors combined with soft blues and grays. This painting still accomplishes taking the viewer into a fanciful land, lacking responsibility and all seriousness.
La Camargo
Nicolas Lancret
1730
Oil on canvas
The Andrew W. Mellon Collection at the National Gallery of Art: 1937.1.89
Lancret paints a ballet star of the Paris opera, Marie Cuppi de Camargo, dancing the pas de deux with her partner. The elegant garden and appearance of movement combines the values of nature and the fantasy of theater. The dancers’ lifted up limbs in the dance, the lightiness of the blue dress, and the relaxed nature of the human figures encircles the viewer into the crowd to enjoy the imaginative dance. Even the lush, hazy depictions of trees appear to be dancing alongside the couple, creating a captivating scene of peace and passion.
The Pilgrimage to the Isle of Cythera
Jean-Antoine Watteau
1718
Oil on canvas
The Louvre Museum: MR 2726
Watteau uses the themes of flying putti, pastel colors, and the abundance of nature to create this detrimental painting of the Rococo period. The visuals of couples holding hands and staying in close proximity to one another encourages physical intimacy and feelings of infatuation. This kind of painting urges women to fall in love, stressing the paradisicial, rose-colored vision of relationships. The viewer is encouraged to step in the fantasy that the French nobility created for themselves, indulging in their wealth, luxury, and fervent love narratives.
The Swing
Jean-Honore Fragonard
1767
Oil on canvas
The Wallace Collection: The Great Gallery
The swing tells the story of the sexually charged energy of the French aristocracy and their lack of concern with the virtuous, moral behavior. The lush garden, pastel pink and greens, along with the erotic subject matter parade the characteristics of the Rococo period. This piece specifically invites the viewer to witness an inappropriate pastime as the female lover lifts her skirt over the male figure as she goes up on the swing. Potentially causing discomfort to the viewer, I would argue that this piece shows the Rococo movement is capable of having corrupt outcomes as a result from too much leisurely time, and should be consumed with wisdom and moderation.
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