Top list · Rococo
1711 – 1803
The most famous Rococo paintings are Jean-Honoré Fragonard's The Swing (1767, Wallace Collection), Thomas Gainsborough's The Blue Boy (Jonathan Buttall) (1770, Henry E. Huntington Library), Jean-Antoine Watteau's Embarkation for Cythera (1717, The Louvre), Jean-Honoré Fragonard's A Young Girl Reading (1769, National Gallery of Art) and Jean-Antoine Watteau's Gilles (1719, The Louvre). The list runs to 100 paintings by 40 artists, from 1711 to 1803, each with the collection that holds it today.
Top 100
Artist, date, original size, museum and the price of a reproduction for every painting.
81 × 64 cm1767Oil on canvasWallace Collection, London
At its heart, the painting portrays a young woman on a swing, her pale pink gown billowing around her as she playfully kicks off a shoe. It complements both traditional and contemporary spaces, adding a touch of sophistication and artistic flair. The artwork’s inherent elegance lends itself well to feminine-leaning designs but also provides a beautiful contrast within more masculine palettes.
Detailslush gardenplayful eleganceswing
177.8 × 112.1 cm1770Oil on canvasHenry E. Huntington Library, San Marino
The subject is believed to be Jonathan Buttall, though recent scholarship suggests it may be Gainsborough’s nephew, Gainsborough Dupont. This painterly approach, characteristic of the Rococo and early Romantic periods, prioritizes capturing mood and character over precise detail.
Detailsblue silk clothingdramatic landscape backgroundatmospheric quality
129 × 194 cm1717Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
Jean-Antoine Watteau's "The Embarkation for Cythera" is a quintessential example of the Rococo style, capturing the playful and romantic spirit of 18th-century France. The artwork depicts a lively scene of aristocratic revelry set against a pastoral landscape.
Detailsgolden boathazy landscapefête galante
105 × 90 cm1769Oil on canvasNational Gallery of Art, Washington
While Fragonard was often celebrated for his more exuberant and frothy compositions, this work reveals his ability to command the atmosphere of quietude.
Jean-Antoine WatteauRococo
185 × 150 cm1719Oil on canvas (presumed)The Louvre, Paris
This painting reflects the aristocratic tastes of early 18th-century France, where leisure, refinement, and subtle emotional expression were highly valued. Executed with Watteau’s signature loose brushwork and delicate color palette, “Gilles” showcases his exceptional technical skill.
Detailsatmospheric perspectivepierrot costumedonkey
Jean-Antoine WatteauRococo Style
184 × 149 cm1718Oil on canvas
Watteau’s breakthrough came with the emergence of the ‘fête galante,’ a genre that fundamentally redefined eighteenth-century painting. Watteau experimented with asymmetrical compositions and unconventional perspectives, disrupting traditional artistic conventions.
70 × 119 cm1748Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
This oil on canvas captures Robert Andrews and his wife Frances. It stayed sheltered in their lineage, a quiet witness to the passing of years, until 1960. The National Gallery in London secured the work shortly thereafter.
Detailslandscapeportraituredog
Oil on canvas
This painting exemplifies Joseph Wright of Derby’s signature use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes dramatic contrasts between light and dark. Created during the height of the Enlightenment, this artwork celebrates scientific discovery and the transformative power of knowledge.
Detailschiaroscurodramatic lightingsocial gathering
Joshua ReynoldsRococo
91 × 70 cm1775Oil on canvas
The use of blue-grey underpaint to create realistic shadows around the eyes and nose. This method of layering allows for a sense of atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.
66 × 61 cm1740Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
The scene exudes tenderness and focus, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships and the transmission of knowledge. The figures are centrally positioned, creating a harmonious interaction that draws viewers into their shared moment of concentration and trust.
Detailssubtle color variationssoft lightingtender depiction of a young girl
Maurice Quentin de La TourRococo Portraiture
47 × 38 cm1753PastelMusée d'Art et d'Histoire, Женева
De La Tour’s work exemplifies the Rococo movement's emphasis on elegance, charm, and a subtle play of light and shadow. Note the almost ethereal quality of Rousseau's skin tones – a hallmark of De La Tour’s technique.
Detailssmiling subjectattire
Oil on canvas
Around them, a choir of heavenly beings gathers to perform. One angel rests on the left, another occupies the middle, while two more flank the right side. The music of the spheres meets the stillness of motherhood.
45 × 55 cm1787Oil on canvasHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Fragonard’s brushwork is remarkably loose and fluid, a hallmark of his Rococo style. The painting reflects the Rococo’s emphasis on beauty, love, and leisure – values that were highly prized within the French aristocracy.
Detailsrococo styleflirtation
35 × 31 cm1712Oil on canvasThyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid
Dappled sunlight filters through a canopy of ancient, moss-draped trees, casting a soft glow upon a secluded clearing. The paint is applied in layers, creating a shimmering effect that makes the light seem to pulse against the dark, dense foliage.
1713Oil on canvasFine Arts Museums of San Francisco
However, Watteau’s genius lies in the subtle details and the unspoken narrative he weaves. “Party of Four” is deeply rooted in its historical context – the opulent yet understated leisure culture of 18th-century France.
Detailsred dressguitar
Oil painting on canvas
The artwork titled Lenfant au toton is a portrait painted by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. Saying Grace, dated 1740, depicts a quiet moment of domestic ritual. In his studies of youth, he produced A Child with a Teetotum in 1738.
318 × 261 cm1752Oil on canvasWallace Collection, London
The central figures are Apollo, returning to his mother Leto, and Thetis, the sea goddess. “The Setting of the Sun” was created during a period of immense artistic patronage, particularly under Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s influential mistress.
Detailsmythological scene
82 × 52 cm1744Unknown (likely pastel)Gemäldegalerie, Dresden
This portrait captures a moment suspended in time—a tableau vivant suggesting the quiet ritual of afternoon tea or intimate social gathering. The Rococo style, which Liotard navigated so gracefully, favored intimacy, ornamentation, and a celebration of leisure life.
610 × 440 cm1715–1717Oil on panelNationalmuseum, Stockholm
The painting is housed at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden, and was acquired by the museum in 1953 through fundraising efforts. This detail underscores the aristocratic patronage that fueled artistic innovation during Watteau’s time. 610 x 440 cm Date: 1717
François BoucherRococo Elegance
160 × 193 cm1747Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
As the viewer's eye wanders through the composition, one feels the palpable tension between divine will and human vulnerability.
Oil
At his feet, four hounds wait in a state of quiet anticipation. The scene is set within a dense thicket of trees and foliage, where deep greens and earthy browns create a sense of shadowed depth. The following details characterize the visual structure: The heavy texture of the man's green coat against the soft fur of the hare. The layered foliage that provides a naturalistic, enclosed setting.
Giovanni Paolo PaniniBaroque Rococo Fusion
1759Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
Today, this painting is held within the permanent collection of The Louvre in Paris. He executed Ancient Rome in 1757, a work that functions as a pendant to the contemporary urban life depicted in Modern Rome, also from 1757.
37 × 48 cm1716Oil on canvasStaatliche Museen zu Berlin
The inclusion of potted plants – specifically lilies – represents purity and nobility, mirroring the values upheld by the aristocracy. The painting doesn’t shout its message; it whispers it—capturing fleeting expressions of joy, melancholy, and contemplation.
1736OilChâteau de Versailles
“The Apotheosis of Hercules” was conceived during a period of significant political and social change in France. "The Apotheosis of Hercules" overwhelms the viewer with its sheer scale and dazzling color palette —primarily warm hues of gold, crimson, and cream.
89 × 98 cm1742Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
The scene unfolds within a secluded garden, a carefully constructed haven of beauty and leisure—a space deliberately removed from the bustling realities of Parisian society. Lancret’s signature style is immediately apparent: a delicate dance of light, color, and movement.
Detailsfamily scenegarden
73 × 93 cm1777Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
In the quiet, dimly lit chambers of 18th-century France, certain moments were meant to remain unseen, yet Jean-Honoré Fragonard possessed the singular ability to pull back the velvet curtain.
56 × 73 cm1742Oil on canvas
François Boucher created Diana getting out of her bath in 1742. The work centers on the Roman goddess Diana, portrayed in a state of nudity. The mythological subject focuses on the private moment of the goddess.
65 × 93 cm1716Oil on canvasWallace Collection, London
The painting's composition is meticulously crafted to convey specific meanings beyond mere visual appeal. The artist skillfully manipulates light and shadow —a technique reminiscent of Renaissance painters like Raphael—to sculpt forms and imbue them with luminescence.
François de TroyRococo Elegance
65 × 53 cm1724Oil on canvasMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Unlike the grand, heavy narratives favored by Baroque artists—which often focused on religious allegories or mythological tales— de Troy deliberately embraced the burgeoning interest in documenting everyday life and social customs.
78 × 64 cm1730Oil on canvas
A Sibyl appears in 1726, captured in oil on canvas with a distinct sense of presence. The scale of his vision expands into the architecture of the sacred, seen in the 1727 fresco detail of the Glory of St Cecilia.
75 × 62 cm1750OilNew York Historical Society, New York City
The use of a light palette to define the sitter's features. Painted around 1750, this work emerged during a period when portraiture was increasingly used to capture the character of the individual alongside their social status.
Pastel
Maurice Quentin de La Tour focused his attention on the subtle nuances of the sitter's features. The work is held within the Musée Antoine Lécuyer de Saint-Quentin. The composition centers on a single figure emerging from a dark, brown background.
195 × 129 cm1723Oil on canvas
The woman's dress flows downward, reaching all the way to her ankles. Every detail, from the heavy folds of the garments to the placement of the furniture, contributes to the formal atmosphere of this moment captured in 1723.
Jean-Baptiste-Siméon ChardinRococo Style
49.5 × 38.5 cm1740Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
A woman, presumably the mother, sits at the head of a simple wooden table, her posture radiating gentle authority and quiet devotion.
Detailsprayerfamily scene
81 × 75 cm1750Oil on canvasNational Gallery of Art, Washington
Boucher was a pivotal figure in establishing the Rococo style, characterized by its emphasis on ornamentation, grace, and playful eroticism. Boucher’s brushwork is remarkably smooth and fluid, creating an illusion of depth and movement.
Detailspastoral scene
1775Oil on wood
The artwork titled The Grand Cascade at Tivoli is a painting by the artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard. The painting is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
41 × 53 cm1736Oil on canvas
The composition is a masterclass in Tiepolo’s signature use of light and movement. The painting’s palette, characterized by brilliant highlights and soft, atmospheric tones, possesses a unique ability to transform a space.
1787Oil paint on canvasGemäldegalerie, Berlin
The portrait centers on the face, utilizing a warm and muted color palette to establish an intimate connection between the subject and the viewer. This specific work is held at Musée Fabre, Montpellier.
William HogarthRococo Satire
1754–1755Oil on canvasSir John Soane's Museum
The painting’s aesthetic is firmly rooted in the Rococo style, a trend popular during Hogarth’s time. “Canvassing for Votes” cemented William Hogarth’s reputation as a pioneering social commentator and a master of satirical art.
Detailssatirical tactics
147 × 195 cm1737Oil on canvasHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Coypel, serving as premier peintre du roi to Louis XV, was renowned for his ability to capture narrative power within a relatively small format. Beyond its narrative content, “Fury of Achilles” offers a glimpse into the anxieties of 18th-century Europe.
Detailsdramatic scenefigures
110 × 105 cm1729Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
Van Loo skillfully employs atmospheric perspective – the subtle blurring of details in the background – to draw the viewer’s eye towards the central figures: Aeneas, the Trojan hero, and his aged father, Anchises. As a leading figure in the Rococo movement, Van Loo’s signature style is immediately recognizable.
Detailstrojan hero scene
1756–1762Oil on canvas
The painting titled Girl with a book is a work by the artist Pietro Rotari. A final transition occurred in 1941, when the work entered its current home through a bequest from J.W.
Oil paint on canvas
The arrangement of the figures is dense and theatrical, creating a sense of social intimacy within the room. The subject matter provides a specific glimpse into the customs and attire of 18th-century Venetian society.
Jean-Antoine WatteauRococo Style
56 × 46 cm1718Oil on canvasNational Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
Jean-Antoine Watteau produced Fêtes Vénitiennes around 1718. His interest in the movement and interaction of figures is also present in The Country Dance, a work dating from about 1718 to 1721.
122 × 155 cm1748Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
The piece eventually entered the collection of the National Gallery in London, where it has been held since 1875. The work is part of the permanent collection and was acquired by the institution in 1875 through the Lewis Fund.
Jean-Honoré FragonardRococo Style
70 × 87 cm1765Oil on canvasFondation Cailleux, Paris
The scene portrays a young woman reclining gracefully on a bed, engaging in playful interaction with a dog. Delicate glazing techniques further enhance the luminosity of the pigments, capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
1743–1745Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
The artwork depicts the Countess in her final moments, lying lifeless upon a bed within an opulent room. The scene is laden with symbolic details that reveal the tragic trajectory of her life.
54 × 71 cm1750Oil on canvasMuseo del Prado, Madrid
The scene unfolds through the brush of Sebastiano Conca, who brings the biblical narrative of Idolatry of Solomon to life. Conca lived until 1764, leaving behind a legacy of works that navigate the intricate world of religious and allegorical themes.
Thomas GainsboroughRococo Portraiture
90 × 90 cm1752Oil on canvasYale Center for British Art, New Haven
This palette contributes to the painting's overall sense of quiet dignity and understated elegance. Gainsborough skillfully uses variations in tone to create a three-dimensional effect, highlighting key features and adding drama to the scene.
Detailsfamily sceneobjects
Jean-Antoine WatteauRococo Style
73 × 107 cm1715Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721), a luminary of the Rococo movement, irrevocably transformed eighteenth-century painting away from the grandeur of the Baroque towards an ethereal realm of refined pleasure and nuanced emotion.
François BoucherRococo Elegance
108 × 85 cm1751Oil on canvasMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York
At the center of this luminous tableau lies Venus, the Roman goddess of love, reclining upon a lavish pink velvet canapé. Utilizing the method of layering thin, translucent glazes, he achieved a surface finish that seems to glow from within.
80 × 65 cm1737Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
The emotional resonance of this work lies in its delicate balance between determination and vulnerability. While Chardin’s roots were planted in the formal elegance of the Enlightenment, his heart belonged to the humble and the real.
61 × 75 cm1717Oil on canvasGemäldegalerie, Dresden
Watteau, a pivotal figure bridging the Baroque and Rococo eras, wasn’t merely recording a scene; he was crafting an atmosphere, imbuing it with a sense of wistful longing and the intoxicating allure of the fête galante – a genre he essentially invented.
Detailshorsecouples
82 × 75 cm1750Oil on canvasMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York
It was much admired at the Salon of 1753, showcasing Boucher's skill as a colorist and his ability to handle historical themes with precision. Additionally, Jean-Honoré Fragonard's " The Cascade " can be found at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Jean-Honoré FragonardRococo Style
25 × 19 cm1775Oil on panelWallace Collection, London
This era, defined by the reign of Louis XV, championed elegance, frivolity, and a celebration of sensual pleasure. Unlike many of Fragonard’s more exuberant works that focus on courtship and overt passion, “The Souvenir” captures a more private, melancholic beauty.
34 × 27 cm1730OilGallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia, Venice
The choice of medium itself speaks volumes about Carriera's genius. One can almost feel the delicate texture of the fabric and the soft fall of her hair. The Rococo style, reflected here, favored grace over grandeur, intimacy over formality.
Johann ZoffanyRococo Portrait
78.7 × 97.8 cm1775Oil on canvasYale Center for British Art, New Haven
This technique was highly valued in 18th-century portraiture, demonstrating the artist's skill and attention to detail. The painting’s dimensions are approximately 31 x 38 1/2 inches (78.7 x 97.8 cm), framed within a larger size.
Detailsconversation piececello
51 × 35 cm1711Oil on canvas
The night air hangs heavy and still as two figures find themselves lost in the vastness of the dark. A large, luminous moon dominates the heavens, casting a pale glow over the landscape.
Martin van MeytensBaroque Rococo
229 × 191 cm1760Oil on canvasMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The portrait’s creation coincides with a pivotal moment in Viennese history. Count Giacomo Durazzo was serving as director of the imperial theaters from 1754 to 1764, playing a crucial role in promoting Gluck's innovative reforms within Italian opera.
Detailscoupledogsapple
55 × 46 cm1754Oil on canvas
This peace is shattered in 1943 when German forces remove the work from the museum. The ownership of this 1754 oil-on-canvas remains caught in a complex tug-of-war between private possession and national restitution.
1789Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
The canvas is dominated by a vertical orientation, prioritizing the central figures—Madame Rousseau and her child—creating an immediate sense of intimacy. Vigée Le Brun achieves remarkable textural depth through meticulous brushwork. This meticulous attention to detail underscores Vigée Le Brun’s commitment to capturing not just appearance but also emotional nuance.
81 × 119 cm1752Oil on canvasNational Maritime Museum, London
The painting captures a third-rate ship positioned on the stocks at the Deptford dockyard. The work focuses on the ship in a state of preparation, situated upstream from the main storehouse of the Royal Dockyard.
Oil
A soft light gathers around the central figures, pulling the eye toward the infant lying amidst the straw. Small details emerge from the gloom: Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre brings a specific French elegance to this religious scene.
1782PaintingMuseu Nacional da Música, Lisbon
The Harpsichord by Pascal-Joseph Taskin is a singular creation from 1782. The structure itself holds echoes of an earlier hand, incorporating specific elements from Andreas Ruckers, including a rose and a soundboard dated 1636.
142 × 119 cmOil on canvasGuildhall Art Gallery, London
The oil on canvas portrait titled Sir Robert Kite (c.1708–1772), Lord Mayor of London (1766) captures a moment of civic weight. Created about 1770, the work is the handiwork of the British painter Nathaniel Dance-Holland.
1726Oil painting on canvas
The oil painting titled Wild boar hunting by Jean-Baptiste Oudry captures a moment of muscular tension. Jean-Baptiste Oudry, an artist born in Paris, France, in 1686, rendered this specific interaction between the large animal and the dogs.
81 × 101.3 cmOil on canvasMuseum of Fine Arts, Houston
His life, spanning from his birth in 1700 until his death in 1777, reflects a deep connection to the evolving aesthetics of his era. A lively gathering unfolds within the dappled light of a lush forest setting.
136.5 × 95 cm1743Oil on canvasNational Gallery, London
Moses striking the Rock is a painting by Corrado Giaquinto. This specific work belongs to the era of the Italian Rococo, a period defined by a shift toward light and rhythmic movement.
Oil on canvas
The composition centers on a wide expanse of water, the Grand Canal, which occupies the lower and middle portions of the frame. The artist employs a precise approach to topographical accuracy, focusing on the structural integrity of the Venetian buildings.
Oil
The composition centers on a wide expanse of water, where various vessels occupy the lagoon. Figures are visible among the boats, appearing as small forms engaged in activity on or near the vessels.
61 × 113 cm1747Oil on canvasMetropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The Building of Westminster Bridge is an oil on canvas riverscape painting. Created in 1742, the work captures a specific moment of transformation within the city of London.
76 × 64 cm1779Oil on canvasHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Gainsborough’s style firmly places “Portrait of a Lady in Blue” within the Rococo tradition, though with a distinctly neoclassical restraint. The pose itself, with one hand gracefully resting on her arm, conveys poise and self-assurance.
Detailsloose brushworkrich texture
37.9 × 46.3 cm1758Oil on canvasScottish National Gallery, Edinburgh
The context of this painting is inseparable from the cultural zenith of the Rococo period. Yet, the softness of her demeanor and the sumptuousness of her attire whisper of pleasure and worldly sophistication.
Detailsfanpearl bracelet
238 × 146 cm1765Oil on canvas
72 × 69 cm1743–1744Oil on canvasFine Arts Museums of San Francisco
His earlier compositions include Apollo and Marsyas from 1725, as well as Perseus and Andromeda from 1730. He created The Last Supper in 1745 and The Adoration of the Magi in 1750.
71 × 57 cm1715OilGalleria degli Uffizi, Florence
This isn't a pose of grand pronouncements; it’s a quiet assertion of presence. Born in 1675, she emerged from a family of artisans—her mother a lacemaker and her father a lawyer—and initially found success creating miniature portraits on snuffboxes.
Nicolas LancretRococo Charm
54 × 46 cm1735Oil on canvasMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston
Lancret’s technical prowess is on full display through his use of a luminous, pastel palette that breathes life into the verdant landscape. Lancret, having trained under the lineage of Watteau, was uniquely positioned to capture this zeitgeist.
1792Oil
This work captures a specific moment of grace, frozen in oil. The subject faces the viewer with a quiet, steady gaze. The brushwork carries the quiet weight of the 18th century.
50 × 65 cm1750Oil on canvasNational Trust, Greenwich
HMY 'Royal Caroline' in a Stiff Breeze is an oil on canvas painting by John Cleveley The Elder. Executed in 1750, the work captures a specific moment of maritime activity involving the Royal Yacht Caroline.
129 × 194 cm1717Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
Executed with meticulous attention to detail, this artwork exemplifies the refined elegance of the Rococo style. Created in 1717, during the height of the Rococo movement, this painting reflects the aristocratic fascination with leisure, love, and mythological allegories.
Detailsmythological themesallegorical scenevibrant color palette
William HogarthRococo Decorative Style
62 × 75 cm1735Oil on canvasSir John Soane's Museum, London
Technically, "Scene in a Tavern" is a triumph of Rococo -influenced realism.
239 × 147 cm1780Oil on canvas
It is a composition that speaks volumes about connection, lineage, and the idealized life of the gentry during the late Georgian period.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le BrunNeoclassical Rococo
90.81 × 71.12 cm1803Oil on canvasNational Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Vigée- Le Brun’s mastery is immediately apparent in her use of light. Fleeing France after the revolution, Vigée- Le Brun encountered her and painted this portrait. It’s a carefully constructed space that reinforces the sitter’s sense of detachment and melancholy.
Detailsdark eyesluminous skin
Oil on copper
A man leans toward a seated woman, his posture suggesting a whispered confidence or a playful remark. On the table before the woman, a basket of fruit and a small vase suggest a quiet, everyday setting.
1745Oil paint
These volumes are not mere props; they represent the pursuit of virtue through reason and observation—ideals that were central to the Georgian era. Through these symbols, Hogarth establishes himself as a man of intellect and character.
64 × 52 cm1785Oil on canvasJ. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
However, Fragonard subtly transforms this ancient tale into a celebration of earthly love. Painted in the twilight years of Louis XV's reign, the painting reflects the opulent lifestyle and decadent tastes of the French aristocracy.
Detailsputtiloversfountain
91 × 68 cm1759Oil on canvasWallace Collection, London
The Portrait of Marquise de Pompadour is an oil on canvas work by the French artist François Boucher. The painting is dated 1759. This portrait resides within the Wallace Collection in London, United Kingdom.
93 × 75 cm1733Oil on canvasNational Gallery of Art, Washington
During the occupation, the painting was seized by the Nazis and was illegally purchased for the Führer Museum in 1944. In 1739, he produced The Return from Market, a scene capturing the quietude of everyday life.
William HogarthRococo Decorative Style
62 × 75 cm1735Oil on canvasSir John Soane's Museum, London
“Rake’s Progress” emerged during a period marked by growing anxieties regarding social morality. The Enlightenment championed reason and intellectual inquiry, challenging traditional beliefs and prompting discussions about ethical conduct.
Jean-Antoine WatteauRococo Style
52.5 × 65.2 cm1717Oil on canvasDulwich Picture Gallery, London
As the heavy, dramatic shadows of the Baroque era began to recede, Watteau ushered in an age of lightness, grace, and refined leisure. While the scene celebrates social indulgence, Watteau weaves in reminders of the ephemeral nature of life.
Jean-Honoré FragonardRococo Elegance
95 × 137 cm1753Oil on canvasNational Gallery of Art, Washington
The inclusion of a sheep—a symbol of innocence and pastoral tranquility—further reinforces the painting’s idyllic setting. Soft pastel hues dominate the palette – delicate pinks, creams, and greens—creating a luminous effect that diffuses throughout the composition.
50 × 57 cm1750Oil on canvas
The composition relies on several specific elements to ground the viewer in this domestic reality: The soft, textured rendering of the rabbits' fur. This work reflects a departure from the grand, dramatic narratives of the era.
1733Oil on canvas
In 1733, William Hogarth painted Sarah Malcolm in Prison, a portrait that captures a woman caught in the stillness of a dark room. In 1731/1732, he captured the tragic downfall of a young woman in A Harlot's Progress.
60 × 75 cm1719Oil on canvasStaatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden
Among his celebrated creations is Meeting in the Open Air (1719), currently housed at the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Germany—a painting that encapsulates the spirit of its era and Watteau’s unparalleled artistic vision.
1751
This particular pose was one of Boucher's favorite themes. The painting represents the portrait of Louise O'Murphy, a young Irish woman who worked as Boucher's model and She was also the mistress (1753) of Louis XV.
111.8 × 83.2 cm1777Oil on canvasTate Gallery, London
The painting immediately draws the eye with its harmonious composition. This shift is evident in his use of light and shadow, which creates a luminous quality that feels both realistic and idealized.
Detailssoft colorsdetail
Oil
The surface is built through layers of pigment that create volume, making the tabletop and the objects feel heavy and present. It is a study in observation, where the subtle variations in tone convey the essence of the material world.
181 × 259 cm1745Oil on canvasHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
As the eye wanders across the vast composition, one is immediately struck by the sheer scale of the event. As the French ambassador disembarks onto the quay, the viewer is witness to the intersection of political power and public pageantry.
Detailsboatsgondolamoat
1775Oil on canvasThe State Hermitage Museum, Russia
To behold this work is to witness Gainsborough at the pinnacle of his technical prowess.
Detailsdramatic lightingrich textures
Louis Michel van LooRococo Portraiture
81 × 65 cm1767Oil on canvasThe Louvre, Paris
The composition is meticulously balanced, with the ornate chair providing a grounding element while Diderot's figure occupies the central space. The project aimed to compile all human knowledge into a single accessible volume, challenging established authorities and promoting intellectual freedom.
Detailsdeskbookschair
Index
Rococo78 · 1711–1792
Rococo Style7 · 1715–1775
Rococo Elegance4 · 1724–1753
Rococo Portraiture3 · 1752–1767
Rococo Decorative Style2 · 1735–1735
Baroque Rococo Fusion1 · 1759–1759
Locations
100 paintings: 17 in London, 12 at the The Louvre.
National Gallery
Artists
1684–1721 · France · 14
French Rococo painter of dreamlike fêtes galantes and theatrical scenes, known for a feathery, sketchlike technique and wistful melancholy.
3. Embarkation for Cythera, 5. Gilles, 6. Pierrot, 14. Pierrot Content, 15. Party of Four, 19. The Love Lesson, 23. The French Comedy, 28. The Pleasures of LIfe, 44. Fêtes Vénitiennes, 50. Jupiter and Antiope, 53. The Festival of Love, 80. Pilgrimage to Cythera, 90. Pleasures of the Ball, 94. Meeting in the Open Air
1703–1770 · France · 10
French Rococo painter of luminous, pastel mythological scenes and idyllic landscapes, known for his voluptuous and amorous subjects.
12. Song of the Angels, 17. The Setting of the Sun, 20. The Rape of Europa, 27. Diana getting out of her bath, 35. The Love Letter, 51. The Toilet of Venus, 54. The Interrupted Sleep, 73. Madame de Pompadour, 87. Portrait of Marquise de Pompadour, 95. Nude on a Sofa
1732–1806 · France · 9
French Rococo painter of playful, sensual scenes rendered with luminous, rapid brushwork and a sense of exuberant, fleeting movement.
1. The Swing, 4. A Young Girl Reading, 13. The Stolen Kiss, 26. The Swing, 36. The Grand Cascade at Tivoli, 46. Young Woman Playing with a Dog, 55. The Souvenir, 86. The Fountain of Love, 91. Diana and Endymion
1727–1788 · United Kingdom · 8
British Rococo painter of elegant portraits and landscapes, known for fluid brushstrokes and integrating sitters into the English countryside.
2. The Blue Boy (Jonathan Buttall), 7. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, 31. Susan Murrill (1717–1794), Mrs Henry Hill, 45. Cornard Wood, 49. The Gravenor Family, 72. Portrait of a Lady in Blue, 96. Pomeranian Bitch & Pup, 99. Duchess of Beaufort
1699–1779 · France · 7
French painter of quiet domestic scenes and still lifes rendered with tactile, granular impasto and a soft diffusion of light.
10. The Young Schoolmistress, 16. Lenfant au toton, 34. Saying Grace, 52. The Young Draughtsman, 88. Soap Bubbles, 92. Still Life with Two Rabbits, 97. The Attributes of Painting and Sculpture
1697–1764 · United Kingdom · 6
English satirist and engraver of modern moral subjects, using biting narrative series to dissect the social fabric of 18th-century London life.
39. Canvassing for Votes, 47. The Suicide of the Countess, 81. Scene in a tavern, 85. Self-Portrait with Pug-Dog, 89. Rake's Progress' the Gaming House, 93. Sarah Malcolm in Prison
1723–1792 · United Kingdom · 3
British Neoclassical portraitist and Royal Academy founder who used the Grand Style to idealize subjects with grace and dignity.
9. Miss Bowles, 74. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, 82. Lady Delm and her Children
FAQ
Point at a question for the answer.
In order: The Swing (Jean-Honoré Fragonard), The Blue Boy (Jonathan Buttall) (Thomas Gainsborough), Embarkation for Cythera (Jean-Antoine Watteau), A Young Girl Reading (Jean-Honoré Fragonard), Gilles (Jean-Antoine Watteau), Pierrot (Jean-Antoine Watteau), Mr. and Mrs. Andrews (Thomas Gainsborough), An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (Joseph Wright of Derby), Miss Bowles (Joshua Reynolds) and The Young Schoolmistress (Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin).
100 of these 100 paintings are available hand-painted in oil, from $187, and 100 as a canvas print, from $44.
No. 1 is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's The Swing (1767, Wallace Collection). Next come Thomas Gainsborough's The Blue Boy (Jonathan Buttall) (1770, Henry E. Huntington Library), Jean-Antoine Watteau's Embarkation for Cythera (1717, The Louvre) and Jean-Honoré Fragonard's A Young Girl Reading (1769, National Gallery of Art).
The painters with the most works in this list are Jean-Antoine Watteau (14), François Boucher (10), Jean-Honoré Fragonard (9), Thomas Gainsborough (8) and Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin (7).
The The Louvre holds 12 of the 100, followed by the Wallace Collection (5) and the National Gallery (5). London is the city with the most: 17.
Jean-Antoine Watteau's The Love Lesson (1715–1717, Nationalmuseum), 610 × 440 cm. The smallest is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's The Souvenir (1775, Wallace Collection), 25 × 19 cm.
95 of the 100 are oil paintings, 0 use tempera and 0 are frescoes; 2 are painted on wood and 81 on canvas.
Start with London (17), Paris (13) and New York (5): together they hold 35 of the 100, at the The Louvre, the Wallace Collection and the National Gallery.
Donato Creti's Astronomical Observations. Mars (1711), dated 1711. The most recent is Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's Portrait of a Woman (1803, National Museum of Women in the Arts), dated 1803.
Each painting is ranked by how widely it is known: the number of Wikipedia language editions with an article on it (Wikidata sitelinks), its place in our catalogue's manual ranking and the visits its page receives. The same painting catalogued several times counts once, and details, copies and studies are left out.
Order
100 of the 100 are in stock as hand-painted oil reproductions, from $187. Trade and volume orders welcome.
Which paintings: all Rococo paintings in our catalogue. In which order: the best-known first — counted by Wikipedia articles in different languages, our own ranking and page visits. Each painting once; no details, copies or studies.
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