French Periods; Regency and Rococo Styles

Regency:

This period lasted from 1700-1730 and was a transition style between Louis XIV and Louis XV. King Phillippe d'Orleans ruled for 8 years in-between Louis XIV and XV. A well known painter of this time period was Jean-Antoine Watteau. The paintings of this time were happier and brighter and showed a flourishing society before the destruction of the French Revolution. The furniture of this time was less symmetrical, lighter, curvilinear, and the frame was more exposed. Their chairs were lower in seats and backs, had smaller dimensions, and the legs didn't have stretchers. The arms were padded and their supports were not an extension of the legs. The legs were in the cabriole style. Their furniture was elegant and graceful. The design was more feminine mostly due to the fact that the mistresses of the kings had a huge say in the designs of the time.

Classic Examples:

Current Applications:

Rococo:

This period lasted from 1730-1760 and was during the disastrous reign of Louis XV. Colonial struggles and war were at the forefront of this time. The French had lost Canada and India. Tax for the middle class increased and Versailles was criticized. But for the royalty the time was one of pleasure. Madame de Pompadour was Louis XV official mistress and dictated  much of the design choices around Versailles. During this time, exteriors and gardens were less important and there was a focus on comfortable living spaces. The rooms of this time were like the rooms today with the use of a library, dining rooms, etc. but the bathroom was not a part if the household. Rooms were smaller and better heated with now ceilings. There was no emphasis on horizontal lines, but an emphasis on curves. The walls were painted with light fresh colors, such as pastels, as well as white touched with gold. There was almost always a mirror over the fireplace with a low marble mantel. Parquet floors were also used as well as rococo patterned rugs. Furniture was placed on the perimeter, against the walls.

Classic examples:




Current Applications




Peer Review:
Katie K: I like how she talked about the Baroque period. She went into so good detail about it and had great pictures.
Micah: I liked how she talked about the French Renaissance as a whole and about the way the buildings of the time were structured.