Europe, circa 1715 -1780 · Rockery, light and art of living

From Liotard and Nattier to Gainsborough, Canaletto, Bellotto, Crespi and Magnasco, the 18th century combines elegance, urban view, intimacy and satire.

Rococo was born in France at the beginning of the 18th century, after the solemnity of the reign of Louis XIV, then spread throughout Europe. Its name comes from the rockery, a decoration of shells, stones and asymmetrical curves used in caves and interiors. In painting, it often favors light colors, soft lines, intimacy and pleasure, but its history is more diverse than the image of the gallant festival alone. Jean-Marc Nattier transforms princesses into Flore or Diane, uniting portrait and mythology. Liotard transforms princesses into Flore or Diane, uniting portrait and mythology. Liotard gives pastel a matte and silent precision in La Belle Chocolatière. Gainsborough mixes portrait of owners and social landscape in Mr and Mrs Andrews. In Venice and Dresden, Canaletto and Bellotto develop bright and meticulous urban views. Crespi observes private gestures with sometimes comical frankness; Magnasco paints prisons, synagogues and marginal communities with a nervous, dark and critical touch. Natoire and Boucher organize parties, loves and decorative allegories, while Maulbertsch pushes the Rococo fresco towards the mystical whirlwind. The style simultaneously touches painting, architecture, furniture, porcelain and textiles: it is less a unique formula than a way of lightening, bending and enlivening the space. The style simultaneously touches painting, architecture, furniture, porcelain and textiles: it is less a unique formula than a way of lightening, bending and enlivening the space. The style simultaneously touches painting, architecture, furniture, porcelain and textiles: it is less a unique formula than a way of lightening, bending and enlivening the space. The style simultaneously touches painting, architecture, furniture, porcelain and textiles: it is less a unique formula than a way of lightening, bending and enlivening the space. The style simultaneously touches painting, architecture, furniture, porcelain and textiles: it is less a unique formula than a way of lightening, bending and enlivening the space. The "Paintings Rococ Liotard and Mr and Mrs Andrews. His reading favors drawing.

Rococo knows how to smile, seduce and decorate, but he also knows how to observe the city, work, prison and the margins of society.