'Rococo Masterpieces, Part 3: The Swing' Webinar

***Register for the entire Rococo Masterpieces series by clicking here. All webinars in this series will remain active for one week after the series finale***

The Rococo period dazzled 18th-century France with its delicate brushstrokes, soft pastels, and playful scenes of courtly love — a dramatic shift from the grandeur of the Baroque. But beneath the surface of this ornamental elegance lay a society teetering toward revolution, where art served both as escapist fantasy and subtle commentary on power and privilege. It's time to unpack the deeper meanings behind Rococo’s most iconic masterpieces, and discover how beauty became a political force in the final decades of the French monarchy.

Join New York Adventure Club for a three-part series where we bring together a trio of the most well-known artworks from the European Rococo period. In Part Three, we'll examine The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard — a scene that appears lighthearted at first glance, yet reveals a layered narrative of secrecy, seduction, and shifting societal values at the end of the ancien régime.

Led by art historian, museum educator, and lecturer Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff, this art-centric virtual journey will feature:

• An exploration of Rococo’s visual hallmarks, from flirtatious compositions to idyllic garden settings
• A look at the “love garden” as a recurring motif, and how it reflected contemporary ideals of romance and escape
• A discussion around Enlightenment thought, and how figures like Rousseau influenced changing attitudes toward nature and emotion
• An overview of Fragonard’s artistic evolution, and how he broke from academic conventions to embrace bold expression
• An analysis of the painting’s symbolism, including hidden meanings behind its gestures, objects, and figures
• A reflection on The Swing’s enduring appeal, and its influence on modern artists from Manet to Matisse

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Mariska — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week after the entire series concludes!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale

****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Mariska

Mariska is a Social Psychologist by trade but took up her love for the arts again after the birth of her children. ​

Heavily pregnant with number 3, Mariska finished her MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, in Dutch Baroque Art. Soon after this she was lucky enough to lecture for the most wonderful group of students. She decided this was what she wanted to do and set up Art Historical London offering art historical lectures, courses, tours, travel and events from London and Amsterdam, and since 2020 online. ​

Fully accredited in the UK to teach the over 16, Mariska also lectures for NAFDAS, an arts education society with members in the UK and Mainland Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She is a lecturer with the public program of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, and can provide live, online and recorded lectures for groups or individuals.

Rococo Masterpieces Series

Part 1: Pompadour at Her Tambour Frame (Monday September 22)

Part 2: Pierrot (aka Gilles) (Monday September 29)

Part 3: The Swing (Monday, October 6)

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Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment