Fancy
Schmancy.
We're about to waltz through the over-the-top, sugar-coated world of Rococo, the art style that makes a Fabergé egg look like minimalist décor. Imagine if Marie Antoinette has too much wine and a box of pastel crayons—that's Rococo. So fluff your wigs, dust off your powdered faces, and prepare for a frolic through this gloriously gaudy era.
From Baroque to Broke
Once upon a time in 18th-century France, the Baroque style decided it was tired of being all serious and dramatic. Enter Rococo, the playful, lighter sibling that loved to party. It started in the salons of Paris, where aristocrats decided that their homes needed more flair—because apparently, gold leaf and marble just weren't cutting it anymore. They crammed their spaces with pastel colors, ornate mirrors, and enough cherubs to populate a small heaven. Rococo was born, and subtlety took a backseat.
Watteau and His Wacky World
Jean-Antoine Watteau was one of the early champions of Rococo, painting scenes that looked like the aristocratic equivalent of a Coachella after-party. His works featured frolicking lovers, pastoral landscapes, and enough fluffy clouds to make you wonder if he had a secret cotton candy stash. Watteau’s art was all about the good life, and he painted it with a whimsy that screamed, “Let them eat cake!”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Prompter Mag to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.