At the end of the Baroque period, another artistic movement developed in Europe in the 18th century. In France, the native country of the Baroque, a counter-movement arose that wanted to break up those strict measures.
Above all, Rococo stands for playful fashion, art, and interior design, but also for a different form of architecture: an answer to the huge, magnificent Baroque buildings with their rigid symmetries. Rather, importance was attached to elegance, grace, and playfulness.
We take a closer look at this fascinating style in the architecture of that time. What examples of Rococo buildings still exist today? What can we learn from the old builders for our modern construction industry? Join us on a journey to the 18th century!
Features of Rococo
Like the Baroque period, Rococo builders focused on artistic details when constructing their buildings. In contrast, the ornate facades and elaborately designed interiors do not show any symbols of rule, but mainly natural subjects. Flowers and vines, but especially shells, water, and rocks are a theme that we encounter very often in Rococo buildings.
The Rococo trend was driven by the visual separation of various building wings. No large, connected complexes were built. Thus, we find separate residential, kitchen, and staff buildings.
The arrangement of the various elements also differs from the previous period. Intentionally placed asymmetries gave the Rococo buildings a playful, and thus casual, aesthetic. Even the color scheme is different from its predecessor. Instead of strong, opaque colors, the color palette of the Rococo was rather restrained. Light, almost delicate colors predominate, such as sky blue, pink, gold, and cream.
In contrast to the opulent Baroque spaces, the Rococo returned to small, more intimate spaces. Privacy and coziness were the top priorities here. Mirrors and noble chandeliers ensure that there is still a feeling of lightness and space in these smaller spaces.
Rococo artists were often very devoted to detail. In the interiors, we often find impressive stuccoes, stretching over the heads of visitors as a ceiling decoration. Here, you can also often see the rocaille motifs typical of Rococo: shells, sea creatures, and rocks.
Examples of Rococo Buildings
Thus, we have clarified the features of the Rococo. Now, we present some interesting examples of this architecture. Behind every building is a story that wants to be told. In addition to historical facts, we also focus on the special structural features. So let's go on a journey through the architectural style of the Rococo.
Benrath Palace
Düsseldorf, Germany
Benrath Palace was planned as a pleasure and hunting chateau in the French Baroque style. Only the orangery and chapel remain of the former water castle that previously stood at this location. The palace was opened in 1771, after 14 years of construction, and shines in a delicate old pink. The men's cabinet is entirely in the Rococo style.
It is important to mention an effect that makes the palace appear rather small and one-story. From the outside, it should look inconspicuous, and surprise guests with its spaciousness and detailed decoration when they enter. A system of 80 rooms, two atriums, and seven stairwells opens up in front of them.
As usual in the Rococo style, the living rooms are decorated with luxurious stuccoes, inspired by nature. For example, the Elector's room is decorated with oak leaves: a natural symbol of masculine strength.
Benrath Palace is an ultra-modern multifunctional ensemble whose underground corridors connect the main building with the wings, so that messengers would not disturb the privacy of the rulers and their guests: a well thought-out structure.
Pilgrimage Church of Wies
Steingaden, Germany
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, and rightly so. The Pilgrimage Church of Wies, dedicated in 1754, is a true highlight of the Rococo period. The church interior was created here using a high level of structural and creative artistry, which almost literally blossoms with its detailed floral stuccowork, yet does not appear overloaded or too ostentatious.
Another special feature is the east choir, which shows what the architecture of that time was capable of, in terms of design and technology. Previously, arcades could only be spanned with vaulted arches. Between the round columns of the ambulatory, however, downward-hanging arches were used as timber connections to bear the loads. The architectural details are also interesting, including pilasters, capitals, cornices, and other ornaments representative of the Rococo style.
The famous figure and namesake of the church with the more or less sonorous name of "Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Savior on the Wies" was pieced together from parts of old figures from the Steingaden monastery. Despite this design, it became world-famous: an example of how works of art with valuable content can also be created by simple means.
Cuvilliés Theater
Munich, Germany
The history of the Old Residence Theater in Munich dates back to the middle of the 18th century. A fire show probably went wrong and burned down the entire court theater. A new opera house was needed and was described by contemporaries as a "jewel of the Rococo".
The theater was richly decorated with gold and stucco, and was not only the venue of famous personalities, such as Mozart. It also served as the perfect scenery for lavish parties. To prevent the fiery tragedy from repeating itself despite 1,334 wax candles, there are thick exterior walls, a sophisticated forcing set under the building to pump water into the roof structure, and a firefighter's house that provided the necessary safety.
Like many well-known buildings in Germany, the theater was hit and destroyed by high-explosive and incendiary bombs during World War II, in 1944. During a breakneck rescue operation, the elaborately carved box coverings of the auditorium were torn off at the last minute and brought to safety.
In 1956, the old Cuvilliés theater was rebuilt on the site of the provisional Theater am Brunnhof. The stored parts had survived the war and were painstakingly assembled despite the lack of money and materials. It was reopened after only one and a half years of construction, and since 2008, it has shone in new splendor due to the renovation work.
Queluz National Palace
Queluz, Portugal
The Palácio Nacional de Queluz is one of the largest and most beautiful Rococo palaces in Europe. The former summer residence of the Prince was built in the 18th century, and even at first glance, it shows exactly what inspired it. The facade itself is highly reminiscent of the famous Palace of Versailles and this impression continues inside, which is the reason the residence is often referred to as the "Portuguese Versailles".
Construction of the palace stopped after an earthquake in 1755, and only resumed three years later. In 1778, the time had come, and the Rococo palace was inaugurated. The exterior of the palace can be classified as Late Baroque, whereas the interiors are designed in the Rococo style. Rich stucco decorations, pastel wall coverings, and elegant furniture, as well as playful details, welcome guests as they enter.
Many interiors feature the typical regional azulejos - colorful, mostly blue ceramic tiles. Other rooms show Venetian art, frescoes, and valuable tapestries. The dome hall in the palace is also something special. The impressive dome is richly decorated and adorned with biblical frescoes.
It was the official royal residence until the Portuguese royal family fled into exile. Today, the Queluz National Palace is used for various cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions.
Summary: Rococo
Magnificent and sumptuous buildings gave way to simpler, more elegant, but no less beautiful buildings. People focused on creating elegant, playful interiors, where they could feel good. Rococo buildings often do not look particularly impressive from the outside. At least until we step over the threshold and let our eyes wander to the ornate stucco ceilings with their fascinating frescoes.
In any case, it's worth taking a second, closer look behind the facade: A proposition that we can apply directly to our everyday lives. Anyway, what can the construction industry take away from the Rococo style?
What can we learn from the Rococo?
Although the Rococo style can mainly be found in the design of interiors, we can learn a lot from it for our modern construction. For example, Rococo linked creativity and aesthetics directly with the design of buildings. Instead of focusing on the tenth block structure of its kind, our construction industry could use a little more playfulness in design.
A little creativity has never done any harm, and would increase the aesthetic value of a building. After all, most people feel more comfortable in a building that has a soul. And not in the thirteenth clone of an undecorated concrete block.
The Rococo is also known for rich decorations and ornaments, which are, however, integrated in the overall concept. Decoration and functional elements are not mutually exclusive, which engineers nowadays can make good use of to provide every building with a suitable blend of functionality and aesthetics.
In residential buildings and social facilities in particular, a return to the Rococo style can be helpful when creating welcoming spaces: not too big to feel lost, yet with a space-enlarging effect, achieved by structural elements. Using light through large, thoughtfully placed windows can make even small spaces feel bright and inviting.
We would like to encourage the construction industry to look for innovative solutions in the spirit of Rococo to make projects appear less massive. Conventional steel buildings, in particular, are often uninviting, inside and outside, due to their massive size. Numerous materials and technologies available to us today allow us to be capable of far more in construction than we show in most current building projects.