Each room within Sansoucci is different, incorporating a new theme or constructed with a specific purpose in mind. But the inclusion of the Rococo style is prominent throughout and connects the rooms as you walk through them. Traditional Rococo representations include interlacing curvature ornaments on walls and ceilings where asymmetry is the rule, shell forms and other natural shapes, light pastels, ivory, and gold as predominant colors, and mirrors to enhance open space. All of the features can be viewed in nearly every room of Frederick the Great’s palaces.
Full view of Music Room featuring Frederick the Great’s flute
Frederick the Great’s Music Room in Sanssouci
Frederick the Great’s Music Room is a beautiful Rococo design featuring a magnificent white and gold color scheme, curved molding beyond compare, and massive mirrors, making the room appear endless against the natural light entering the room. In this room, the King himself played the flute, which is on display in the room. Flowers and fruit are entwined in the trelliswork. The entire room is full of cherubs, animals, and foliage, incorporating the natural world with ease. The detail goes from bottom to top, ending around the chandelier in a spider’s web, holding the entire room in place.
Though the New Palace was primarily used as a guest palace, Frederick the Great also had four guest rooms in Sanssouci, one of which was usually occupied by the French philosopher Voltaire between 1750 and 1753. Now known as “Voltaire’s Room,” this yellow painted guest room was called the “Flower Room” in old descriptions. In contrast to the other rooms of the palace, this room has left behind the elaborate and varied rocaille work. Instead, nature reigns. Until 1753, the room was decorated with silver-colored Rococo designs on its walls as well as silver-plated furniture. This original ornamentation can still be seen in the alcove above the bed.
Bed alcove and original silver-colored ornamentation