[102, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna] By the mid-1700s, Baroque had morphed into a style called "Rococo." If Baroque was controlled exuberance, Rococo was uncontrolled exuberance. As if the divine monarchs and aristocrats needed ever-more over-the-top art to flaunt their privileged status, their art became even fancier — ultimately with the focus more on the decoration than on the subject itself.

[103] Baroque's curved lines became Rococo's even curvier lines. Circles became ovals. Everything glowed with gilding and plenty of mirrors. Rococo was like Baroque that got shrunk in the wash: lighter, frillier, and more delicate.

[104, mostly Würzburg Residenz, Franconia, Germany] In the decor of this royal palace you can see how Rococo is even fancier than fancy Baroque: rooms slathered with enormous wealth, kilos of gold leaf, lots of exotic Asian influence, and eye-popping extravagance.

[105, paintings by Fragonard, Bouchard, and others] The Rococo style was perfect for the new generation of rosy-cheeked aristocrats embracing their carefree lives of leisure as never before…frolicking amid nature…and indulging in every sensual pleasure. The lives of these elites were much like their art: decoration over substance. Across Europe, aristocrats played in their palaces and picnicked in their bucolic backyards: pleasure gardens that stretched to the horizon…as if their divine-right world would go on forever.