Essay 4

 

The start of Rococo in the eighteenth century was met with much controversy. It was the center of the debate about whether drawing was more important than the color or the other way around. It was because of this everlasting debate that Rococo was born. Not only did it have exquisite detail it also had amazing color. This was the main reason for France’s popularity, as it was the origin of Rococo, and money income as it appealed to the many coming from wealth during this time. Because it was so popular many artists took the risk of ornate drawings combined with complicated mix of colors. As a result many famous paintings are now known today as popular art exhibits. In particular an art piece called ‘The Death of Harmonia’ by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierr resulted and became very popular, it still is very much popular today.

 

‘The Death of Harmonia’ was created in 1740-1741 in Paris, France. Like many other paintings this one came with a back story. According to the past the girl named Harmonia was the daughter of a king of Syracuse named Gelon ll, she was threatened by conspirators. In an effort to protect the princess her governess switched clothes with Harmonia. As a result the governess is killed by the enemies and Harmonia is safe. However when her governess sacrificed herself for the young princess she failed to consider what the princess would do after that. Harmonia is so moved by her servant’s sacrifice that she reveals herself to the conspirators and they killed her. As soon as the painting was finished it was greatly praised and was later exhibited in a Salon. The painting was engraved by Charles Nicolas Cochin in 1751. Currently though the painting now is exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.

 

The piece of art is painted with oil on a canvas. Despite the simplicity of the medium the painting is detailed in ornate skill as the faces are clear and expression filled. The detail the back ground was small but complex as it wasn’t an afterthought but a whole other dimension with its difference in shading and density. However the drawing pales in comparison to the use of color with the paint. The cloth of the clothes resembles mobile motion that has been paused. The contours of the bodies give the impression of actual muscle straining against skin to continue the motion that looks as it was forced to stop mid move, mid kill. The skin of the governess has a significant difference in color as it is shown paler than the living figures in the piece as the governess is portrayed as laying still in death’s clutches. Lastly the lighting gives the impression of an actual scene and off sets the dramatics in the scene on the canvas. The light directly points towards the center of the action, the central point of focus. The center that critics are drawn to is the actual kill of Harmonia, the last second before the princess will be pale and lifeless just like her servant that had sacrificed herself for the young princess.

 

While many art periods may catch the attention of viewers and critics around the world for one reason or another Rococo takes the cake. Rococo combines the perfect amount of complex and detailed drawings with the perfect amount of skilled painting and outrageous colors. Not only this it used exceptionally well. Overall France has benefitted greatly from the making of this type of art and also still benefits greatly in popularity now for having a phenomenal art period that includes the brilliant art piece such as the death of Harmonia that was previously discussed. Not only did the background match the foreground in detail but the colors complimented the movement of the piece as a whole. Not to mention the fact that the lighting from this also points the main focus to the scene playing out to the viewers. While the painting defies the rules of classic art it also follows a certain order that many respect and appreciate so as the painting isn’t over ally colored or too under detailed. This way it creates a whole new art period.