Rocailles met putto en dier 1731 - 1775

Emanuel Eichel made this print, "Rocailles met putto en dier," using etching, sometime in the 18th century. Look closely and you'll see it features several designs for rocaille ornaments, popular during the Rococo period. These kinds of prints functioned as pattern books, circulating new aesthetic ideas to workshops across Europe. Rococo, originating in France, was quickly adopted by other European elites. The style emphasized asymmetry, curves, and natural motifs like shells and plants. In a break with the more rigid formality of the preceding Baroque, the decorative exuberance of Rococo became associated with the aristocracy's embrace of leisure and pleasure. To understand this image, we have to look beyond its aesthetic qualities. The widespread adoption of Rococo reflects complex patterns of cultural exchange and social aspiration. By studying design books like this alongside estate inventories and architectural plans, we can better understand the social life of art.