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 soft, pastel colors;
 scenes of amorous dalliance; nature as an accomplice in the flirta-
tion;
 the art of the boudoir;

Characteristics of Rococo Architecture
 all the characteristics of baroque architecture;

 classical vocabulary;
 undulating walls;
 ornate decoration;
 trompe l'oeil effects;

 broken entablature;
 curling and/or shell-shaped decorative elements;
 "clouds" of white stucco decoration;

 white, gold, and pastel shades.

In French, the word rocaille refers to rocks, shells, and the shell-

shaped ornaments used on fountains. During the 1700s, a highly ornamen-
tal style of art, furniture, and interior design became popular in France.
Called Rococo, the lavish style combined the delicacy of Frenchro-

caille with Italian barocco, or Baroque, details.
Rococo architecture is actually a later version of the Baroque style.
While elaborate Baroque architecture is found in France, Italy, England,
Spain, and South America, the softer Rococo styles are found throughout

Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe, and Russia. While there are many simi-
larities between the Baroque and the Rococo styles, Rococo buildings tend
to be softer and more graceful. Colors are pale and curving shapes domi-

nate.

II. Divide the text into six logical parts. Give the title to each part.

III. Write out all architectural terms in the text and find their
definitions in English.

IV. Choose the necessary word and complete the following sen-
tences:

1. The rococo is sometimes described as the pale af- а) apex
ter-glow which remained following the storm of the…

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