Claude Michel, also known as Clodion was a sculptor of the Rococo style. He had many works illustrated within this fanciful and newly refined methodology. One of his most well known pieces, Poetry and Music (1774-1778), expresses this intimate and more personal style. Meant to be viewed at close range, Rococo sculptures like Michel’s were often referred to as “miniature Baroque” (http://www.all-art.org). This piece was commissioned by Louis XV’s finance minister and crafted in expensive Carrara marble. Although Michel or Clodion had also prepared a terracotta model as well, a medium he often worked within. Rococo seemed to be a more playful and elegant approach to Baroque art. Artists were concerned with depicting a more graceful and soft approach to Baroque art and architecture. As art in the early eighteenth century shifted it’s production from individual patrons to more industrially rich and middle class people, this style began to develop.
Once the French court changed locations from Versailles to Paris, the movement began to spread across the entire country and Rococo salons emerged. In these salons were not only great pieces of art, but the walls and ceilings themselves were sculpted and decorated within the Rococo technique. Rococo artists used soft creamy pastel-like colors, emulated curves within forms, and often used gold (especially within decoration). Chandeliers, decorated furniture and tabletop sculptures were very common within these salons that exploded across Europe.
Designed for his residence in Paris, Poetry and Music, was commissioned by Abbe Terray, a minister of Louis XV (www.nga.gov). The piece represents an overall interest of the minister within the arts and sciences, and depicts two young boys immersed within music. Standing up and with longer hair, the boy to the left seems to be older then the smaller one to the right. The smaller boy seems to be concentrated on the other while he plays an instrument. The boy on the right has a scroll in his hand and with his stern glance at the older boy, seems to be trying to learn or study. There is also a trumpet below the younger boy, suggesting that perhaps they are learning multiple instruments.
This sculpture expresses the smooth and graceful curves that the Rococo style was known for, specifically within sculpture. A soft piece that expresses a common interest within arts and sciences, this piece would have functioned in a Rococo style salon. Playful and intimate, Claude Michel’s Poetry and Music is a great sculpture coming out of the Rococo style of the eighteenth century.
I think the piece you chose to research is beautiful and I can see how something like this could have a connection with the viewer. I've noticed that many of the faces portrayed during the Rococo period (including the ones in the images I chose) seem less expressive and dramatic than those during the Baroque period. These boys seem to have simple facial expressions. In my opinion, this causes the viewer's eye to travel from one face to the next. Especially with the way that the smaller boy seems to be focusing on the larger.
ReplyDeleteI like how you discussed this sculpture as a "miniature Baroque" work of art. Rococo is the "soft, alternative rock" to the "hard rock" of the Baroque period, I guess you could say.
ReplyDeleteYou can see more graceful forms and lines in this sculpture. Look at the way that the boy on the left gracefully arcs his arm toward his instrument. Even the diagonal lines seem less harsh than the Baroque style, like the softly angled legs of the boy who is seated on the right.
-Prof. Bowen
I will say honestly my first glance at this piece and I would not guess a Rococo piece. I don’t see the typical Rococo excesses with lots of of flourishes and stylizing, there is no color, no gold or bronze or gilt the only immediate Rococo sensibility I see is two naked children in cupid like fashion. On the other hand it has a sort of softly flowing composition that moves the eye in a zig zag pattern. There are musical instruments and a book which would indicate leisure activities but in all honesty this piece just doesn’t jump out and yell Rococo. One really has to study the details a little to get a sense of the Rococo nature. I enjoyed this piece and your write up it peaked my interest enough to go do a quick search.
ReplyDeleteI like that you gave a broad background to the piece what type of room a sculpture like this would be placed in during this time and why and then some background on the patron. Rory it was my understanding that sculpture during this period was typically white and the things you listed where part of the painting of the period.
ReplyDelete-Jake
I chose this same artist and looked at several of his terra-cotta sculptures. I thought it was interesting that he made these on such a small scale. The piece I looked at was called Zephyrus and Flora and it was beautiful. He did an excellent job of putting in details, especially when the sculptures were so small! He put some very elegant curves in this piece that lent itself to the Rococo era. I'm glad somebody else was as into this artist as I was!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how this piece was meant to be viewed at close range, allowing and forcing viewers to look at the detail work of the sculpture. It was interesting to read your included information about the rococo style in addition to the artist.
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