Rococo style in European architecture. Rococo in Russian architecture

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Quirky and whimsical, this style originated in France in the early 18th century. Rococo in architecture was not so much an independent direction as a certain moment in the development of the pan-European baroque.

Characteristic features of Rococo

The Rococo style in architecture is one of the first trends in art that moved away from established canons and turned to sophisticated and sophisticated themes. Some researchers and experts believe that frivolity and frivolity are inherent in this direction. Nevertheless, it was it that had a significant impact on many other trends and styles in all art.

Quite often, manifestations of Rococo in architecture, photos of which can be seen a little below, are characterized as light and thoughtless. At the same time, the sophistication, refinement and perfection of forms, hiding behind seeming frivolity, are completely ignored.

Rococo in art is primarily a fictional world of intimate experiences, apparent theatricality, decorative refinement and sophistication. There is absolutely no place for pathos and heroism. For changingthey get fantasies, trinkets and love games.

The hallmark of this trend is a curved and whimsical line, which in its outlines resembles a shell, often found in architectural manifestations of rococo.

History of occurrence

Architectural trend called "rococo" appeared in France at the beginning of the XVIII century. In those days, it was the so-called response to the "Grand Style" - monumental and unshakable classicism, official baroque, the clearest example of which is the Palace of Versailles of Louis XIV. The Baroque style in architecture and other areas of art dominated throughout almost the entire period of the reign of the Sun King.

It is worth noting that closer to the middle of the 18th century in Western Europe, the excessive frivolity of rococo began to gradually go out of fashion, but in the very center of the continent this trend in art was popular almost until the very end of the century.

The term "rococo" comes from the French word rocaille, which means "quaint", "capricious", as well as "shards of stones" and "shells". During the entire existence of this style, an incredible amount of works of art and architecture has been created, but one of the most significant is the urban ensemble in France - a complex consisting of three squares in the city of Nancy in Lorraine.

Rococo on the European continent

The territory of the European continent was unevenly covered by the trends and trends of thistrends in art. Nevertheless, some countries and states felt the influence of this style quite strongly. So, for example, France was rightfully considered the founder of Rococo, but the Rococo style in architecture reached the greatest distribution in Germany, having been especially strongly reflected in Prussia at the court of Frederick II.

The sophistication and sophistication of this trend found manifestations in the luxurious palace ensembles of Germany, France, Russia and some other countries.

The architecture of French hotels was distinguished by the lush design of the interior space - rocaille interiors were very harmoniously combined with the relatively strict exterior design of the building. The Rococo style in architecture over time began to spread throughout Europe. Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic soon felt the trends of this fashionable trend in art.

Rococo in Russia

Newfangled European rococo trends of the 18th century in Russia began to manifest themselves especially strongly in the middle of the century. For the most part, this direction has found wide application in the interior decoration of palace interiors and stucco molding on the facades of many buildings, as well as in some branches of arts and crafts. The trend of architectural style came to Russia from France almost half a century late.

In 1662, the King of France - Louis XIV - begins the construction of Versailles, and in 1710 Peterhof appears in Russia. Not even half a century has passed since the famous architect Antonio Rinaldi builds in Oranienbaum, directlyin the middle of the Peterstadt fortress, a rococo palace. In the 18th century, it was most often called the "Stone House", and currently the museum "Palace of Peter III" is located here.

Manifestations of Rococo in the architecture of the northern capital of Russia

The Stone House in the northern capital of Russia resembles a park pavilion and is made in a rather unusual shape - a square with a corner cut off in a smooth arc. The top of the central door is decorated with a balcony with an exquisite wrought-iron lattice. The elegance and sophistication of the building is achieved through high and elongated windows on the second floor, as well as an unusual balustrade.

The interior of the Stone House, as well as the facade, is made in the Rococo style. Since that time, the decor of the room has become a separate direction in architecture. The interior in this style is characterized by sophistication, elegance and sophistication. The abundance of pastel shades, the combination of delicate white with green, blue or pink, as well as gold inlay - all these are the hallmarks of rococo in the architecture of St. Petersburg.

Together with this trend, another newfangled trend came to Russia - Chinese exoticism, which was reflected in the trinkets that decorated the room, as well as entire spacious halls decorated in this style.

Distinctive features of Rococo

Distinctive features of the architectural Rococo from the monumental and ponderous Baroque are the characteristic lightness, grace and mannerisms. Architectsthey no longer sought to build long and high halls, but preferred small cozy rooms with high windows, which, in turn, were grouped around the central staircase, thus providing maximum convenience for all residents of the house.

For the most part, buildings are becoming more and more like a so-called mansion-hotel, which is intended for a single family. This architectural layout became popular, resulting in the rebuilding of many buildings previously constructed in the pompous and monumental Baroque style.

To everything else, despite the abundance of jewelry and other decorative elements, Rococo did not look ponderous and monumental. On the contrary, it seemed light and airy thanks to the sophistication and sophistication of all the details and the harmoniously matched color scheme.

Rococo in interior decoration of buildings

The Rococo era affected not only trends and trends in architecture - this style did not bypass other aspects of art. Moreover, for most architects of that time, it was the interior that was the very place where the new direction found its most striking manifestation. The layout of buildings was most often asymmetrical, round, oval and even octagonal rooms were built.

In the 18th century, Rococo, whose architecture was distinguished by lightness and grace, firmly entered the interior decoration of the premises. The furnishings of the rooms, the crockery and drapery, and the little things that please the eye, which gave the room even more sophistication, are all characteristicfor the interior in the Rococo style.

Rococo Chinese accent

As mentioned above, the newfangled direction in the architecture of the XVIII century was somehow combined with Chinese echoes. In this era, in the interior decoration of the premises, it was increasingly possible to notice elements of oriental culture, which were the best suited for the rococo style. The rooms were divided into peculiar zones with the help of light screens and partitions, and in the kitchen one could more and more often notice original sets and other dishes made of Chinese porcelain.

The rooms were characterized by natural shades and floral ornaments. Trees with thin trunks, aquarium fish and the graceful beauty of orchids, an abundance of gilding and other Chinese motifs - all this harmoniously combined in the interior of the Rococo era.

Femininity in architectural rococo

In order to be imbued with all the beauty and atmosphere of this trend in art and architecture, it is not enough just to see the beautiful - you need to be able to feel it. It is no coincidence, perhaps, that the feminine principle is attributed to this style. Suffice it to recall that all the premises from large and spacious were rebuilt into small, secluded and intimate rooms. Femininity was felt in absolutely everything. Moreover, even the ceremonial halls and rooms were more like boudoirs - everything in them was too chamber and intimate.

Light and delicate shades of the rooms, smooth and graceful curves of the walls, a large number of mirrors, as well as lace ornamental elements and an abundance of stuccowith picturesque inserts - how can any other style be so close to the beautiful?

Playful and graceful architectural style perfectly conveys the features of the female character.

Rococo today

XVIII century - the time of Rococo in the architecture of Russia. However, even now there are fans of this refined and sophisticated style.

Pastel colors, smooth lines and gold trim, light shades and lots of cute accessories, all sorts of patterns and swirls, as well as unusual mirrors and various draperies are some of the most important distinguishing features of this architectural direction.

Decorating a room in the style of the 18th century is a great opportunity to feel like a real aristocrat. Opportunities and prospects for the development of furniture companies, as well as the incredible fantasies of designers and decorators will help create an original and unusual room in the Rococo style. In such rooms, you can truly enjoy life and enjoy every new day.