By ornament you need to understand the decoration, which is necessary to fill the free space on objects. He acts as one of the types of creativity, which is not indicated separately, but decorates the product. The ornament is presented as a complex artistic structure, which includes: color, texture, special lines. Natural motifs in the form of a bend of the stem, a patterned leaf, etc. are necessarily used. The concept of “ornament” is interconnected with such a concept as decor, which in a separate form does not exist. What are baroque ornaments?
Baroque style
How does a baroque ornament appear ? Baroque is an artistic style that arose in Italy and spread to many European countries from the end of the XVI to the middle of the XVIII century. The name of the style comes from the Portuguese "pearl of irregular shape."
The ornament is characterized by its originality and picturesqueness. It preserved some motifs of Greek and Roman art. The ornaments use figures of half-animals and half-humans, various garlands of flowers, a combination of the symbolic sun with lilies and shells occurs.
Later baroque (second half of the 17th century) is characterized by symmetry. It imitates architecture in the form of columns, balustrades and consoles. At this time, the decor is rich, but overweight and majestic.
Ornamental motifs
What are baroque ornaments and patterns? In addition to classical acanthus, the ornament consists of cartouches, shells, floor lamps and flower vases. There are many garlands, arabesques, cornucopia and musical instruments that are lushly framed and arranged symmetrically.
On the baroque ornaments of the picture you can see the following: strange flowers of an unusual shape, twigs and leaves of plants, sheaves with ears and many other drawings. They then began to be placed on the tissues.
Baroque ornament in the states of Western Europe
What baroque ornaments were used during this period? Initially, this style was applied in the sculpture and architecture of churches and for a long time preserved individual features of the Renaissance.
The greatest flowering of baroque falls in the middle of the XVIII century. By this period, it covers all areas of artistic activity. Style entered the construction (church, civil), in the manufacture of fabrics, clothes, weapons and jewelry.
The general orientation of the Baroque is to decorate the home and decorate things. The main goal was to create mystical splendor, to create sensations of a living and acting force. This was necessary for the needs of the Catholic Church. In this style, temples served to glorify the power of Catholicism with the help of architecture, sculpture, painting, etc. The most widely spread Baroque spread in those countries where Catholic traditions were strong - in Italy, France and Spain.
Gradually, this style swept the palaces of kings and nobles. The baroque in many countries was to the taste of the monarchs, allowing them to exalt their superiority. In a more simplified form, the style spread to rural and urban residents.
Baroque style ornament in Russia
What baroque ornaments were used in Russia? In the second half of the XVIII century. in Russia, especially in furniture, two styles are combined: Baroque and Rococo. During this period, famous architects F. Rastrelli, S. I. Chevakinsky and others were busy creating beautiful palaces with luxurious decoration for the rich people of St. Petersburg. The palaces appear in majestic beauty: ceremonial halls, huge mirrors and windows, an abundance of lighting devices and candles. All furniture is conceived as a general decorative decoration, which consists of carved armchairs and consoles. It is installed on the sides of the room. The ceremonial halls were considered the center of the palace and furnished with special luxury, and the living rooms were decorated much more modestly.
During this period, palaces lacked interior and furniture items. They had to be moved from the Winter Palace to the Summer Palace, which rendered the furniture unusable. Catherine II recalled this in her correspondence.
The use of baroque style in room decoration
The main type of decor is carving, which was painted in several shades or was gilded.
The walls were covered with silk fabrics with drawings in the form of flowers. Sometimes velvet was used, which was blue, green or crimson. Such walls served as a perfect setting for paintings with gilded frames.
Many mirrors helped visually enlarge the room. In the walls there were niches in which marble or bronze sculptures were located.
Colors were presented in vibrant hues. The most used ones are blue or white using gold and green colors.
The ceiling is painted, with bright paintings. Images of animals, birds, fruits, etc. were printed.
Baroque style furniture
What baroque ornaments could be found in furniture? The following features were present in it:
- All furniture facades are devoid of a rectangular contour, which is typical for Renaissance-style products.
- In baroque furniture, its surfaces (countertops) are broken by patterned inlay.
- For the first time in furniture, curved surfaces were used, which were obtained from wood by bending. In expensive products, such forms have cabinet doors, and sometimes the side walls of chests of drawers.
- Border symmetry with the correct ornament, which is characteristic of the Gothic style, is replaced by a free pattern. The furniture is encrusted with ivory, copper, ebony, etc.
- The baroque style is characterized by a complex shape of elements such as the legs of tables, chairs and cabinets.
In modern furniture, baroque elements are rarely used. Some ornaments of a vegetative nature have gained some popularity, which are used in a simplified form on cabinet doors or on countertops.
Rococo ornament
What do baroque and rococo ornaments have in common? The Rococo style is a late stage in the development of Baroque, which has always strived for greater freedom and simplicity of compositions.
Its name comes from the French "rocky", which means rock. In the XVII century. fountains began to be decorated in the form of fragments of stone blocks, which were covered with plants intertwined in a chaotic manner. This was the beginning of the development of a style in which asymmetry was the main property.
In Rococo, one admires the art of China, India and Persia, so among the ornaments you can see palm trees, figures of monkeys and dragons. Also, the style is inherent in love for nature, but not for its natural beauty, but for artificial.
As before, the source of inspiration is ancient mythology. The main figure is Venus and all who are connected with her plot. These are nymphs, cupids.
So in this way, in the interweaving of these elements, a new style was born, distinguished by grace and grace.
Classicism style
Consider the ornament of baroque and classicism. What is the difference? Since the end of the XVII century. the era of classicism begins. Excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum had a significant influence on the appearance of the style. Again, antique art is becoming a source of inspiration. However, a new vision of the world is added to classicism.
The ornament becomes balanced with clear and crisp straight lines, squares, ovals and rectangles.
Many elements that are characteristic of Baroque and Rococo are preserved, but there is a deliverance from excesses and overload with details.
Many figured compositions are refined and full of harmony. Among the favorite motifs: sphinxes, flower baskets, the head of a lion, dolphins, etc.
The ornament of classicism attracts with simple and elegant lines, which is manifested in its similarity with Greek art.
The Baroque ornament, which has solemnity and dynamism, left an imprint on the subsequent styles that arose with its unique compositions.