BOOKS
18th Century Style 

Art and culture of the 18th century

The book “18th Century Style” offers an in-depth account of the artistic and cultural developments of the 18th century, when the world experienced a unique combination of aesthetic perfection and intellectual revolution known as the Age of Enlightenment. Authors Sophie Motsch and Emmanuel Sarméo explore how the influence of reason and science shaped art and design and how these changes affected aristocratic society. The reader is taken on a journey through the artistic eras of Rococo and Neoclassicism, which shaped the architecture, fashion, art and everyday life of the time.

Rococo opulence and sophistication

The first major style phenomenon of the 18th century was the playful and extravagant Rococo. This movement originated in France and soon spread throughout Europe. Rococo is characterized by the lightness of its forms, their asymmetry and the use of curved lines and motifs from nature. The style is an expression of a society striving for pleasure and luxury, in which comfort and elegance play a central role. Motsch and Sarméo use numerous illustrations and examples to show how the Rococo style was expressed in furniture, interiors and fashion and how this aesthetic shaped the lifestyle of the aristocracy.

Antiquity in neoclassicism

A counter-movement to the overloaded Rococo style emerged in the second half of the 18th century with Neoclassicism. Inspired by archaeological finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, this style took up the clear lines and symmetrical forms of Greco-Roman antiquity. Neoclassicism was a reaction to the excesses of Rococo and symbolized a return to order and harmony. The movement was not only reflected in architecture and art, but also in fashion and interior design, where it created an atmosphere of simple elegance. This aesthetic had a major influence on everyday life in society at the time and contributed to a new appreciation of simplicity and classic beauty.

Timeless source of inspiration

It concludes with a look at the lasting legacy of the 18th century. Numerous examples are used to show how the stylistic codes of this era still resonate in modern art and design today. It shows how contemporary artists and designers take up the aesthetics of the 18th century and reinterpret them to lend their creations a touch of timeless elegance and sophistication. With over 240 illustrations, the book not only offers a comprehensive insight into the history of this era, but also serves as a source of inspiration for the present day. The book “18th Century Style” is a useful reference work for anyone interested in art, design and the cultural developments of this bygone era.

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Further information

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