Rococo Art: The Professor's Perspective

Naming the Source

• According to [the text/professor]…
• The [text/professor] says that…
• The [text/professor] states that…
• In the [lecture], it was said that…

Listing

• …, for one.
• First,…
• Second,…
• The first point that the professor makes is…
• The second point [he/she] addresses is…
• Besides that,…
• Moreover,…
• What’s more,…
• Next,…
• There’s also the fact that…
• Furthermore,…
• Additionally,…
• Finally,…

Giving Examples

• For example,…
• For instance,…
• [The professor] provides the example of [noun]…
• [The professor] elaborates on this by explaining…

Reporting the Professor’s Opinion

• [The professor] believes that…
• [The professor] disagrees with the text in that…
• [He/she] points out that…
• [He/she] refutes [this point] by noting that…
• [He/she] contradicts [this point] by saying that…
• [He/she] explains that…

Showing a Contrast

• On the other hand,…
• Meanwhile,…
• In contrast to [the lecture/the reading]…
• However,…

Clarifying

• That is,…
• In other words,…

In contrast to the reading passage, which emphasizes the qualities of Rococo art that led to its critical dismissal, the lecturer focuses on redeeming characteristics of the style. The professor disagrees with the text about the significance of the art’s aristocratic audience, subject matter, and use of elaborate decoration. The passage explains that Rococo art was often created for aristocratic buyers who ignored the poor, but social changes in Europe created an environment that was hostile toward those who catered to the ruling class. However, the professor points out that most art throughout history was actually created for wealthy patrons; Rococo art is not totally unique in that regard. What’s more, she mentions that Rococo artists sometimes worked on public places, like churches, which were clearly not designed for the wealthy alone. The second point that the professor makes has to do with the subject matter of Rococo art. According to the text, Rococo style was interested in simple leisure and decoration rather than deep philosophical ideas. However, the professor contradicts this by saying that Rococo artists put subtlety and sophistication into their work. She gives an example of a painting that depicts three people whose relationships can be inferred just by the details of their facial expressions and postures. She believes that this shows unexpected depth. Finally, in contrast to the reading passage’s claim that Rococo style is too elaborate, the professor reminds the students that this is a purely subjective point. Others appreciate the more difficult techniques and experimentation used in the paintings.

In contrast to the reading passage, which emphasizes the qualities of Rococo art that led to its critical dismissal, the lecturer focuses on redeeming characteristics of the style. The professor disagrees with the text about the significance of the art’s aristocratic audience, subject matter, and use of elaborate decoration. The passage explains that Rococo art was often created for aristocratic buyers who ignored the poor, but social changes in Europe created an environment that was hostile toward those who catered to the ruling class. However, the professor points out that most art throughout history was actually created for wealthy patrons; Rococo art is not totally unique in that regard. What’s more, she mentions that Rococo artists sometimes worked on public places, like churches, which were clearly not designed for the wealthy alone. The second point that the professor makes has to do with the subject matter of Rococo art. According to the text, Rococo style was interested in simple leisure and decoration rather than deep philosophical ideas. However, the professor contradicts this by saying that Rococo artists put subtlety and sophistication into their work. She gives an example of a painting that depicts three people whose relationships can be inferred just by the details of their facial expressions and postures. She believes that this shows unexpected depth. Finally, in contrast to the reading passage’s claim that Rococo style is too elaborate, the professor reminds the students that this is a purely subjective point. Others appreciate the more difficult techniques and experimentation used in the paintings.