Rococo

Rococo emerged in France in the 1720s and remained the predominant design style until it fell out of fashion in the 1770s. Excessively flamboyant and characterised by a curved asymmetric ornamentation and a use of natural motifs, Rococo was a style without rules. Compared to the order, refinement and seriousness of the Classical style, Rococo was seen as superficial, degenerate and illogical.

Features

Header image: Mirror, Thomas Chippendale, 1762 – 65, London. Museum no. 2388-1855. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London