Paul Sandby Romantic English Rococo Painter

Paul Sandby

1730-1809

English Landscape Rococo Painter and co-founder of the Royal Academy

Stylistically Influenced by the following Painters: Thomas Hudson, William Hogarth, Canaletto and Jean Antoine Watteau

Paul Sandby's style reveals a taste for what is charming and elegant. He specialized in dreamy landscapes and accurate renderings of historical architecture. Early in his career he succeeded in breaking away from the stuffiness of his instructors, and his dreamy Rocco landscape paintings are magnificent evocations of the England countryside. His rich, velvety application of paint and skillful depiction of nature possess a sparkle and liveliness unequaled in the work of any of his contemporaries.

About the Rocco Movement

'The Art of the Aristocracy'

The word is derived from "rocaille" (pebble), but the term referred in particular to the small stones and shells used to adorn the interiors of grottoes. Such shells or shell forms were the primary motifs in Rococo ornament.

The Rococo style began as a backlash against Baroque formality and stuffiness. Unlike Baroque, Rococo is not concerned with religious matters or dramatic expression. The highly decorative art and design movement began in Paris, France in the early 1700s and is sometimes called the style of Louis XV (15th) . The style is profoundly symbolic of the hedonism of the European upper-classes. Rocco manner is characterized by graceful, enchanting, lighthearted themes of flirting and unrequited, melancholic love among the aristocracy. Sentiment was expressed over reason and emotionalism was expressed over intellect. Paintings are animated and clever, reflecting an impishly sensual daydream.

Rococo Landscape Painting

Rocco artists used their art to represent their love and bond with nature. Their painting techniques generally pastels that do not provide contrast within the painting, but are rather blended and create a delicate composition. The painter’s brush strokes do not create precise lines, but are vague and provide a “softened” perception.

Rococo Portraiture

Rocco paintings feature beautiful aristocrats decked out in velvet, elegant laces and rich golden embroideries. The figures are tall and willowy, stylish and charming. The faces are presented as soft and rosy, effeminate and eternally young. Noblemen are depicted wearing feminine coiffeurs, rouged lips and cheeks, often sporting high heels.The Rocco female figures are delicate and light; the faces, are childish and sentimental. The lines of the mouth curve in soft mischief or in a delicate enchanting smile.

Characteristic of Rococo art was paintings of carefree aristocrats at play in make-believe settings. These romantic scenes depict luxuriously costumed ladies and gentlemen flirting, picnicking and playing music at gallant country parties. The background scenery is often a serene natural setting with delicate trees and sprays of roses. Colors are a profusion of soothing, light pastels. The Rococo movement was initially restricted to France, later spreading to all of Europe and above all to England. The movement continued to develop until the arrival of Neoclassicism which attempted to return to the purism of classical antiquity.

Principle Artists of the Rococo Period

Pompeo Batoni Italian,1708-1787
Bernardo Bellotto Italian,1720-1780
Francois Boucher French, 1703-1770
Canaletto Italian, 1697-1768
Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin French, 1699-1779
Jean-Honoré Fragonard French, 1732-1806
Thomas Gainsborough English, 1727-1823
Francisco de Goya Spanish, 1746-1828
Thomas Hudson English,1701-1779
Jean-Marc Nattier French, 1685-1766
Joshua Reynolds English, 1723-1792
Paul Sandby English, 1730-1809
Jean Antoine Watteau French, 1684-1721

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