Too often written off as decorative fluff, the Rococo wasmore than gilded mirrors and pastel palettes: it marked a profound shift in art and society. In this episode, I’m joined by Faith Brooks, a PhD student in art history, to explore how the Rococo emerged in 18th-century France as the aristocracy turned away from Versailles-style absolutism toward intimacy,salons, and private pleasure.
From Boucher’s paintings to Madame de Pompadour’s taste-making influence, we unpack how Rococo reflected a revolution of the elite against the monarchy, complicating Enlightenment ideals with its blend of politics, pleasure, and play.
Connect with Liz at Matter of Art on the podcast website: https://matterofart.co/.
Episode art: Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, c. 1767–68, The Wallace Collection, https://www.wallacecollection.org/explore/collection/search-the-collection/les-hazards-heureux-de-lescarpolette-swing/.
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