“The French king, Louis XIV, called
for more youthful art to be produced by the Royal Academy of Painting and
Sculpture and other artists commissioned for works in Versailles”[1], The royal academy of painting and sculpture artist achieved
this by deforming linear lines to create abstract forms which were based around
the forms of “rock and shell” which ironically enough is the definition for "French Rococo" (also known as French Rocaille). We can identify French Rococo
art from certain disticative features such as “Free-form curves
(including S- and C-curves), shell forms, asymmetry, natural forms, exotic
motifs, scroll work”[2], which
are all distinctive features we can clearly see used to create this beautiful
piece of art work advertised on trade me.
At first glance the a-symmetry expressed in this piece
of history is substantial as whichever way you look at nothing is symmetrical
which is what created the essence of the art being “youthful” as king Louis
requested. The curvinear shape of this mirror is inspired by the love for
aquatics as we see wave like designs flowing all the way around the mirror
connecting at ends. Mirrors were not only used for their aesthetics in house
holds through the Rococo era in the eighteenth century but the mirrors also had
function as citizens would place the mirror paralelle to a window to reflect
light as well as the same concept with candles to create more natural light.
The style overall is effect finished in a gold surrounding which looks
effective, I could defiantly see this in my household as a piece of French Rococo history.
[1] Unknown
author. (2005). Introduction to the Artistic Style of Rococo.
Retrieved from http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/rococo/rococo1.html
[2] Jeannie
Ireland. (2009). History of Interior Design. New York: Fairchild Books, Inc.
Retrieved from Te Waharoa Victoria
University of Wellington Library
http://www.trademe.co.nz/antiques-collectables/art-deco-retro/furniture/auction-468893697.htm
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