Rococo & Co! A new exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décos

Rococo art (a blend of the terms "art rocaille" and "barroco", Portuguese for "baroque") flourished in the 18th century: after classicism and its academic rigor, artists asserted their desire for freedom and fantasy, giving life to a colorful, festive artistic movement with complex motifs.

One of the fathers of this movement was Nicolas Pineau, an ornamental sculptor and architect. This artist is honored at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, with the exhibition Rococo & Co! From Nicolas Pineau to Cindy Sherman, on view from March 12 to May 18, 2025.

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This exhibition showcases the 500 or so drawings by Nicolas Pineau held by the museum. The collection has recently been restored and is now on show to the public at its best. Visitors can admire not only the numerous drawings, but also the furniture, woodwork and silverware that bring these sketches and drawings to life.

Nicolas Pineau was known for his asymmetrical art, his play with space, light and space, his contrasting and surprising creations for his time. His talent enabled him to work for the noble families of Paris, as well as for Tsar Peter the Great in the early 18th century.

The confrontation between the drawings and the furniture and objets d'art creates a dialogue around rocaille art, its evolution and its manufacture.

This exhibition is presented in parallel with the Salon du Dessin, a not-to-be-missed artistic event for drawing and art lovers in Paris.

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