| Neoclassical and Rococo styles contrast to each | | | | furniture, tapestries, porcelains and paintings. It is |
| other. Neoclassicism appeared in 1780s, following | | | | generally known as a decorative art style. |
| Rococo style. Neoclassicism was a reaction to | | | | At the end of eighteenth century, Neoclassicism |
| fluffiness and elaboration of Rococo style. These two | | | | appeared as a reaction to the elaboration, lightness |
| movements gave rise after Baroque, one of the most | | | | and bourgeoisie of Rococo style and focused on |
| impressive periods in the history of art. | | | | proportional and simple forms, virtual themes and |
| Rococo movement gave rise against Baroque at the | | | | Roman antiquity. Neoclassical artists cared for |
| end of the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Baroque | | | | technical perfection, harmony and balance. Geometrical |
| artists used geometrical shapes and aimed to give a | | | | forms and columns were the main features of |
| dramatic and theatrical effect. It was complex and | | | | Neoclassical style. Sharp colors were used in contrast |
| highly elaborated. Large scale designs were one of the | | | | to pale colors of Rococo. Neoclassicism was a strong |
| basic features of Baroque. Scenes from Bible were | | | | movement in literature and music as well as in |
| used as Baroque themes. Baroque artists aimed to | | | | architecture and visual arts. |
| evoke a feeling of respect and fear and to emphasize | | | | Interest in Roman antiquity aroused with the |
| the power of the Sun King. When the king died, the | | | | archeological studies of the period. Discovery of |
| court artists moved away from formal Baroque art to | | | | antique ruins stimulated an admiration of civilization, art |
| a lighter and playful style, which was Rococo. | | | | and glories of Greek and Roman era. The taste of art |
| If we assume Baroque as a bottle of champagne, | | | | totally changed and ideal beauty of antique art was |
| Rococo can be assumed as the foam on the | | | | favored rather than nature itself. The neoclassical |
| champagne. Rococo art has some stylistic features of | | | | artists were inspired by noble simplicity of Greek and |
| Baroque such as the complex forms, but the themes | | | | Roman figures. Meanwhile, it was the period of |
| the Rococo artists are interested in were lighter. They | | | | revolutionary movements and ancient Greek |
| did not deal with serious issues such as religious, moral | | | | democracy was highly appreciated in this period. After |
| or political themes. Instead, they focused on lively | | | | serving to French Revolution, Neoclassicism had been |
| physical world, social life of aristocracy, personal | | | | the official art of the French empire when Napoleon |
| amusement, romance and pleasure.Rococo style was | | | | took over power and aimed to show the magnificence |
| characterized by asymmetry, curved lines and | | | | of the empire with heroic figures. Neoclassical themes |
| ornaments. Mostly, soft, pastel colors were used in | | | | were based on virtues such as heroism, courage, |
| Rococo style in contrast to dark colors of Baroque | | | | honor, justice, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice. |
| period. On the contrary to magnificent architecture and | | | | Neoclassicism dominated until the end of nineteenth |
| huge marble statues of Baroque period, Rococo style | | | | century. |
| expressed itself mostly in small-scale interior designs, | | | | |