Chapter 11: French Period, Regency, Rococo, Neoclassical styles

 Chapter 11: French Period, Regency, Rococo, Neoclassical styles

The French architecture period that characterized styles like the Baroque, Regency, Rococo, and Neoclassical that were very influential from 1700- 1789. 

The Regency style was a transitional time period from 1700-1730. It brought in styles from baroque into the more delicate Rococo style. The colors and materials used in Regency were more simple. They used whites and golds and placed seating in the center of rooms.

The Rococo Style was popular from 1730-1760. It had a certain lightness, delicacy, and movement that was different from the other styles. The rococo furniture used organic curves and asymmetrical designs. The interior had mirrored recesses with framed panes between them. The rococo style produced a reconstruction of royal apartments at Versailles and is also known for the Hotel de Soubise. The Hotel de Soubise in Paris is an oval chamber embellished in Rococo fashion with intricate, golden boiserie (carved wood), cherubs, ceiling paintings, and mirrors. The Rococo style was enjoyed by all classes of people in France for more than the 30 years it was deemed popular. It was known in the countryside as French Provincial or Country French style. The style also featured wood paneling walls, pale colored woods, and fireplaces with mirrors on top of it. 

The rococo furniture uses pastel colors, whites, and golds. They make their furniture from wood (usually walnut) with marquetry and parquetry detailing, as well as many other carved elements. These types of furniture pieces were often the influence of trade in the East. 

Bergere Bombe Commode with Ormolu mounts

The Neoclassical Style was prominent from 1760-1789. This was popular while King Louis XVI was reigning and led to a revival of classical architectural orders. The favorite women in Louis XV’s life were Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry, who turned the Rococo style toward classicism. They inspired influence by sponsoring work of Sevres which used fine porcelain and Eastern products. The classical styles and trends were eventually reinforced in France and its cities after a renewed interest in antiquity. The Neoclassical style uses more straight lines and strict architectural schemes for buildings. They created buildings like hospitals, government offices, railroad stations which used the strict schemes. The walls were usually painted to look like marble with dark green and red colors. The Neoclaassical style also featured Ancient Egyptian ornamentation and decorative details and symbols of Roman military armies. In Neoclassical styles, the furniture was sometimes more distinctive than the architecture. The interior of neoclassical style design eliminated Rococo style curves and free-flowing forms. Instead, they used lines and proportions with square details and narrow panels. 

The Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris France is made by Henri Labrouste after the Neoclassical style.

The Petit Trianon, by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, is another building made originally for Madame de Pompadour in Rococo design style. It was later given by Louis XVI to Marie-Antoinette as a personal retreat and entertainment space for her and her friends. The space was designed on three floors with a Piano Nobile layout. The rooms were square, painted in either a soft off-white or pastel color, and had flat ceilings. The ornamentation was minimal, but did have gilded iron railings. 

The neoclassical style furniture also features straight lines and classical motifs. They used red and green colors when pastel, whites and golds were not present. The furniture was made with mahogany or ebony wood. 

Current Applications:

The Modern French Regency Style Living spaces

Modern furniture based off of the French Rococo style 

These chairs reflect the gold accents and fine material that Rococo style prizes in its interiors. 

The third chair is the Mikaela chair inspired by Rococo design style, simple pastel colors and lighter/pale woods with curved details.

Modern Rococo style bedroom suite with furniture

Modern Neoclassical design style

One-Step Further:

Ange-Jacques Gabriel was the architect that King Louis XV hired to design and build the Petit Trianon of Versailles for Madame de Pompadour in Rococo design style. It was later given by King Louis XVI to Marie-Antoinette. With simple decor, Gabriel was able to focus his attention on the structural plan and the gardens on the exterior. Although it is not the most important part of the design, the agricultural architecture of the gardens added to the beauty of the palace. The greenery and botanical gardens are even available to visit to this day. Ange-Jacques Gabriel had more major works, just as incredible as this, that all had a careful balance of style between French Baroque and French Neoclassicism.