Baroque and Rococo Architectural Styles - Essay Example

Baroque and Rococo There are various architectural styles of constructing buildings, monuments and residential places. Pictures of mosques, monuments, for instance the Eiffel tower and cathedrals are representatives of the different architectural styles out there. Such styles include; Romance, Victorian, Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Medieval, corporate modern, Islamic, Baroque and Rococo. For the purpose of this paper, I will examine just two styles; Baroque and rococo as some of the most iconic and landmark buildings were constructed using these styles. Baroque architecture style is an extravagant and elaborate style of art and architecture developed in the 17th to mid-18th century in Europe. It is typified by bold, curving forms and elaborate decoration and ornamentation. Rococo is an architectural design characterized by simplicity, the variant colour shade, frivolity and freedom of brushwork. The rococo architecture style is characterized by elaborate curves and scrolls, intricate patterns, delicate details, ornaments, asymmetrical shapes and light colours. Although, they differ in some aspects, these two styles share some similarities. The baroque and rococo were two stylistic periods that conveyed tow entirely different sensibilities; while one was heavy-handed and complex, the other conveyed simplicity and fanciness. Thus, the difference between the two styles can be summed up in terms of function, mood and method or design. Method and design Architectural style involves some collective aspects that distinguish a building from the rest of the architecture. These details transform an ordinary building to a unique piece of art that is satisfactory to the eye. Baroque and rococo were developed at a time when customers demanded luxury design that was magnificent. It would glorify their power and pride of the owner. Thus, was preferred by nobles, monarchs and churches. Both styles attempt to reveal and arouse highly emotional effects in their designs. Baroque designs are magnificent and appealing and appear amazing as do rococo designs. They excite all primarily due to their luxury and outlook of their ample space and imposing décor. However, both styles were invented at different time; while the baroque style was founded in Italy in 1500s, the rococo style was traced to France a bit later at around 1720. A good example of the baroque architecture style is the Paris Opera. It is as a masterpiece of the time. The style of building is monumental and opulently expressed in an elaborate décor of multi-coloured marbles and luxurious statuary. Images of Paris Opera In terms of their origin, it is evident that the baroque is the separate, independent work of art whilst rococo is like a continuation of baroque. Classicism faded during the rococo era. A period of rigidity and precision (baroque period) was replaced with a simple and fancy way of design. In addition, baroque encompasses the concept of endlessness, usual and varied world. They reveal to us the comprehension of the world arrangement and the earth that violence and accidents control surface. However, it reflects the conflict that exists between material wealth and spiritual wealth. It is best portrayed when one looks at the Papal Basilica at St. Peter’s square in Vatican whose design was overseen by renowned baroque architect Carlo Maderno. At that time rococo pursued a lighter, more engaging, fragile and fancy style. Individuals at this time felt crooked for escaping reality to the world of theatrics.i People had grown tired of a baroque design which was considered as bulk, suppressing and monumental. At this time people needed simple, not elegance, beauty, not luxury. The rococo style provided all of this. There are many examples of rococo architecture throughout Europe. Landmark and iconic buildings which include; the Queluz National Palace located in Portugal and the Charlottenburg Palace in Germany, the largest in Germany. It was built using both the baroque and rococo styles. However, the most famous is the Sanssouci Palace near Berlin. Image of Sanssouci Palace, Germany Function Decoration, both styles used different techniques when it came to decorating a building. For instance, a typical baroque building concept involved curved forms of expensive and intricate utilization of columns and artwork for decoration.ii Sculptures and art were used to create an impression of immateriality of walls in baroque style. Though the paintings were also used in rococo style, their importance was for different reasons; for aesthetic beauty and mental fulfilment. In this style, the paintings were framed elegantly. It is also keen to note that mirrors were used for decorative purposes. Designers using the baroque style used the mirrors to enlarge the space virtually, and make an illusion of unending space. In rococo style, mirrors were used for the purpose of light and creating a pure and exciting atmosphere in the building. However, both used carvings and ornaments to decorate the building, but were more elaborate in rococo styled buildings.iii Whilst the ornaments in baroque were bulky and monumental, in rococo they were simple and fancy. Rococo style portrays a concept of carefree and simple life as compared to baroque that seemed grave and complex. Rococo style was meant to create a sense of flow with the abstract and asymmetrical detail. The angle between the wall and ceiling were eliminated and replaced with plastic covers in the corners. Surface decoration preferred shallow relief and depressed arches. In baroque, two story salons were common. However, in the rococo style individuals preference changed to one story salon as the room size decreased. Individuals wanted to be comfortable and contented and were not after impressing visitors. The rococo design leaned towards asymmetric by incorporating curved lines, corners, décor and the room shape. It is the case of Hotel d’Amerlot in France, which constituted a pentagonal anteroom and a stair hall designed for privacy and convenience (functional relationship between rooms). Rococo style utilized the interior design of the space by incorporating function, form and utility. Mood Rococo architectural style was first introduced in France unlike the baroque that had its inception in Italy then spread to other parts of Europe. Rococo was applied for interior architecture unlike baroque whose application extended to exterior. Baroque was common in churches interior especially outside of Germany and Austria. The baroque aesthetic conveyed seriousness and a sombre mood while rococo communicated a fantasy and carefree mood. Whilst the baroque colours were bold and contrasting, rococo colours were commonly gold, white and pastels. Rococo style created a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Architecture is the composition of style, art, paintings and sculptures; thus satisfaction is enjoyed when there is a combination of almost all. Baroque and rococo styles are supplemented by artwork such as paintings and sculptures. The most common sign of a baroque picture is the natural free of stroke, though casual but detailed. In contrast, a rococo painting is more intimate and detailed.iv The former shows realistic instruments with contrasts of light and shade while the latter though asymmetrical portrays elegance and refined composition. Baroque painters expressed emotions, psychological and dramatic while rococo expressed delight and satisfaction. While baroque artists expressed substantial and complex issues at the time, rococo painters expressed a carefree life. Even in literature works, baroque writers favoured complexity. In contrast, rococo writers were delicate and promoted a carefree live. They disregarded civil ideals and moral depth. They claim that the style was created for fun and some illusion of satisfaction. Baroque books touched on the negative side of life, cemented in moral deep though and Encyclopedia content. Thus, it is more complex to read through baroque literature due to their complexity. During rococo’s time only erotic poems were conceptualized in contrast to the heroic poems of baroque. Sculpture, baroque’s sculpture is picturesque and indissoluble. The sculpture communicates the feeling of conflict in the world and the feeling of endless mobility and dynamics. They are detailed and delicate for human eyes. Rococo sculptures are aesthetically beautiful and exciting. While the baroque sculptures were for exterior and interior design, the rococo ones were exclusively for interior decoration. Bibliography Read More