Rocaille met drinkend paar 1736 - 1762

This Rocaille, at the Rijksmuseum, presents a delicate scene of a couple drinking, rendered with fine lines. The lack of firm dating allows us to consider its style and its relation to the broader trends in decorative arts. The composition is dominated by an ornate, asymmetrical frame that exemplifies the Rococo style. Note the use of curvilinear forms that surround the central figures, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. The figures themselves, are secondary to the design. They are placed within this swirling composition as if the artist is trying to capture the essence of leisure and elegance. Consider how the artist uses line to define the forms and create texture. Each stroke works to animate the scene and invite a prolonged gaze. Its aesthetic effect is that of fleeting pleasure, indicative of Rococo's wider cultural context in its move towards surface ornamentation.