The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection

The two major art movements examined today are reflections of the culture in which it was made. French rococo art was a reaction against the strict regulations of Baroque art in the early 18th century in Paris, France. The Rococo style used delicate colors and curving forms in its artistic style, while Baroque art focused on large-scale grandeur and symmetry. Also in terms of theme, Baroque was often more politically charged and serious while Rococo looked to be more whimsical and playful.

One such example of Rococo art is a painting done by Francois Boucher in 1754 labeled "Mars and Venus surprised by Vulcan". In this portrait, Venus' angry husband Vulcan catches her in her infidelity with Mars. Vulcan has entrapped the cheating couple and invited other gods, Neptune and Mercury, to join in the humiliation. In examining the composition, Venus' nude body is portrayed in a very sensual manner lying across the arms of Mars while Vulcan creeps above them. This layout of characters is significant in showing the curved line of characters in helping the onlooker's eye to follow the scene. This is a break from the symmetrical style of Baroque art (The Wallace Collection, 1). Also, the usage of delicate pink colors to dress the gods and detailed expression helps add to the sensuality and fantastical appeal of the situation. While the lighting overhead helps create a foreboding feeling in the clouds as Vulcan moves closer towards his entrapment of the cheating lovers.

This painting contrasts greatly from Sandro Botticelli's depiction of "Venus and Mars" seen in the National Gallery in the previous week. Boticelli's depiction is much more playful showing Mars falling fast asleep and unarmed while Venus remains wide-awake and alert. This Botticelli painting has an almost completely ambivalent theme with "Love Conquering War" as Venus, God of Love, is clearly in control of the situation with Mars, God of War, fast asleep.

The two different depictions of Mars and Venus reflect both the requirements of the patrons and the societal views of the time. The Boticelli painting was commissioned mainly for the bedroom of a newly married couple. Therefore, the playful scene would be an appropriate take on love conquering all. While the Boucher version was actually a set of three panels as boudoir decorations, possibly once belonging to Madame de Pompadour. If this work were originally commissioned for Pompadour, this would also be an appropriate commission for the controversial advisor to King Louis XV. Pompadour lived her life as official mistress and eventual platonic advisor to the King and wielded great influence in developing and promoting French rococo art to prominence in 18th century France.

The "Dutch Golden Age" was also a major art movement but reflected the cultural concerns of the Netherlands