Pastels, Paris and the Rise of the Bourgeoisie

In the early 1700's France the roots, of what would later flourish into a revolution, began to grow. Salon culture and the decadent, extravagant lifestyles of the aristocracy and newly wealthy merchants, or bourgeoisie, began to influence artwork. Rocco came into full swing. The abundance, frivolity and romantic whimsy of upper class society became reflected in the artwork. The pieces featured women dressed. and undressed in extremely fine fabrics in tones of pastel and luxe reflective materials which catch and soften the light. This use of pastels and the settings of abundant Eden like greenery and flourishing flowers and plant life draws the viewer into the story being told by the artists. Rococo artists painted scenes of young love, flirtatiousness, youthful impropriety and lightness of heart for the characters in their scenes. This reflected the world that the socially elite had created for themselves. A life concerned primarily with pursuits of the fine things in life, appreciation of the arts, freedom from the restrictions of the church, and flirtatious sexual dalliance were earmarks of French court life during this period and spread socially to other groups who aspired to emulate them, notably the bourgeoisie. This growth of the middle class and their indulgence in frippery exacerbated feelings of social unrest at the disparity of the quality of life between those on the bottom rung of society, those who had made it to the middle but still resented the privileges of birth that the aristocracy had that they could not attain. The aristocracy in turn resent the nouveau riche and their attempts to "join the club" through purchasing titles with their wealth. Unrest grew and revolution began...