Rococo Drawings
Rococo was an aesthetic movement in the fine and decorative arts in the 18th century that found its inspiration in nature and fostered an overall lightness and delicacy of form, construction and ornament in interior design. Rococo furniture, while greatly influenced by trends in Italy and Germany, is often called Louis XV style — the movement having reached its best expression during that sybaritic French king’s reign.
The term “rococo” is thought to be a portmanteau of the French words rocaille and coquilles — “rock” and “shells” — organic motifs frequently used in architecture and design of the style.
When it comes to authentic Rococo furniture's characteristics, it is above all sensuous and social. The furniture of earlier eras in Europe had been heavy in every sense; the Rococo period saw the appearance of light-framed upholstered armchairs, side chairs and occasional tables that could easily be moved to form conversational circles.
The signal detail of Rococo furniture design is the gently curved cabriole, or S-shaped chair-, table-, and cabinet-leg. It imitates the bend of a tree limb or a flower stem. In a further reference to nature, furnishings were often asymmetrical and painted white, or in soft, pastel shades. Rococo has become a timeless style, and as the furniture pieces presented on 1stDibs demonstrate, its playful, sculptural forms can provide visual excitement to contemporary, clean-lined spaces.
Early 18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paint, Paper
Mid-18th Century English Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
1740s German Antique Rococo Drawings
Plexiglass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Glass, Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Late 18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Tapestry, Wool, Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Ink
17th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
20th Century Rococo Drawings
Paper
Mid-18th Century Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
1650s Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Belgian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century Antique Rococo Drawings
Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper, Crayon
17th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Wood, Paper
Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Drawings
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Paper
19th Century French Antique Rococo Drawings
Glass, Gouache