---
title: "Rococo — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Rococo is the playful, pastel 18th-century style of aristocratic pleasure, seen in Fragonard's The Swing. Know it as the foil Neoclassicism rejected in Unit 4."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-art-history/key-terms/rococo"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Art History"
---

# Rococo — AP Art History Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Rococo is a style of art and decoration that emerged in the 18th century, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, pastel colors, and a playful, lighthearted atmosphere.

## Related Study Guides

- [4.5 Unit 4 Required Works](/ap-art-history/unit-4/unit-4-required-works/study-guide/3QqiFCaqgCzGoSxdWOAt)
- [4.3 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Later European and American Art](/ap-art-history/unit-4/materials-techniques-later-european-american-art/study-guide/3zXTSNcjTVGF1We1I58j)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Baroque](/ap-art-history/key-terms/baroque): A style that preceded Rococo and was known for its dramatic grandeur and emotional intensity.
- [Neoclassicism](/ap-art-history/key-terms/neoclassicism): An artistic movement that rejected the excesses of Rococo in favor of simpler forms inspired by classical Greek and Roman art.
- Marie Antoinette: The queen of France during the height of the Rococo period, known for her extravagant lifestyle and love for art.