🥁Intro to Art Unit 6 – 18th-19th Century Art: Neoclassicism to Realism

Key Historical Context

• The 18th and 19th centuries marked a period of significant political, social, and cultural changes in Europe and the United States
• The Age of Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism, challenging traditional authority and religious dogma
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) overthrew the monarchy and established a republic based on Enlightenment principles
  • Inspired by ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity
  • Influenced political and artistic thought throughout Europe
• The Industrial Revolution transformed economies and societies, leading to urbanization, new social classes, and changing lifestyles
• Nationalism emerged as a powerful force, with nations seeking to assert their unique identities and cultures through art and literature
• The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) reshaped the political map of Europe and had lasting cultural impacts
• Colonialism and imperialism expanded European influence globally, exposing artists to new cultures and artistic traditions

Defining Neoclassicism

• Neoclassicism emerged in the mid-18th century as a reaction against the ornate and elaborate Rococo style
• Drew inspiration from the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing simplicity, symmetry, and idealized beauty
• Reflected Enlightenment values of reason, order, and moral virtue
• Characterized by a focus on line, form, and balanced composition
• Often depicted heroic or mythological subjects, as well as contemporary events and figures
• Emphasized the importance of drawing and the human form, with figures often depicted in classical poses and drapery
• Sought to educate and uplift the viewer through moral and intellectual content

Major Neoclassical Artists and Works

• Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)
  • Leading French Neoclassical painter
  • Known for his large-scale history paintings and portraits
  • Notable works: "Oath of the Horatii" (1784), "Death of Marat" (1793)
• Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
  • Italian Neoclassical sculptor
  • Renowned for his elegant and idealized marble sculptures
  • Notable works: "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss" (1787-1793), "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" (1804-1806)
• Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)
  • French Neoclassical painter
  • Known for his precise draftsmanship and smooth, enamel-like finish
  • Notable works: "Grande Odalisque" (1814), "The Apotheosis of Homer" (1827)
• Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807)
  • Swiss Neoclassical painter
  • One of the few successful female artists of her time
  • Notable works: "Self-Portrait" (1770-1775), "Cornelia Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures" (1785)

The Romantic Movement

• Romanticism emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against the rationalism and order of the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism
• Emphasized emotion, imagination, and individualism over reason and classical restraint
• Celebrated nature, the sublime, and the exotic, often depicting dramatic landscapes and intense emotional states
• Valued originality, spontaneity, and artistic freedom, rejecting the strict rules and conventions of Neoclassicism
• Reflected a growing interest in national identities, folklore, and the medieval past
• Influenced by the works of writers such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and William Wordsworth
• Spread across Europe and the United States, taking on different forms and expressions in each country

Romanticism's Impact on Art

• Painters embraced expressive brushwork, vivid colors, and atmospheric effects to convey emotion and mood
• Landscapes became a central subject, often depicted as wild, untamed, and awe-inspiring
• Artists explored themes of nature, the supernatural, and the inner world of the individual
• Portraiture shifted from idealized representations to more psychologically complex and introspective depictions
• Historical and literary subjects were reinterpreted through a Romantic lens, emphasizing drama, passion, and heroism
• The concept of the artist as a solitary genius, driven by inspiration and imagination, gained prominence
• Romanticism paved the way for the development of later movements such as Realism and Impressionism

The Rise of Realism

• Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the idealism and emotionalism of Romanticism
• Sought to depict the world as it appeared, without idealization or embellishment
• Focused on everyday subjects, often from the lives of the working class and the poor
• Reflected the social and political changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the middle class
• Emphasized the importance of direct observation and the accurate representation of detail
• Influenced by the development of photography, which provided a new standard of visual accuracy
• Challenged traditional artistic hierarchies by elevating genre scenes and still lifes to the status of history painting
• Paved the way for the development of later movements such as Impressionism and Social Realism

Notable Realist Artists and Paintings

• Gustave Courbet (1819-1877)
  • French Realist painter
  • Known for his large-scale, unidealized depictions of rural life and labor
  • Notable works: "The Stone Breakers" (1849), "A Burial at Ornans" (1849-1850)
• Jean-François Millet (1814-1875)
  • French Realist painter
  • Renowned for his dignified and monumental depictions of peasant life and labor
  • Notable works: "The Gleaners" (1857), "The Angelus" (1857-1859)
• Honoré Daumier (1808-1879)
  • French Realist painter, sculptor, and printmaker
  • Known for his satirical and politically charged works, often critiquing contemporary society
  • Notable works: "The Third-Class Carriage" (1862-1864), "Gargantua" (1831)
• Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899)
  • French Realist painter
  • Specialized in animal paintings, particularly horses and cattle
  • Notable works: "The Horse Fair" (1852-1855), "Ploughing in the Nivernais" (1849)

Comparing Artistic Styles

• Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism represented distinct artistic movements with different philosophical and aesthetic principles
• Neoclassicism emphasized reason, order, and idealized beauty, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art
  • Characterized by clear lines, balanced compositions, and classical subjects
  • Reflected Enlightenment values and a desire to educate and uplift the viewer
• Romanticism prioritized emotion, imagination, and individualism, celebrating the sublime and the exotic
  • Characterized by expressive brushwork, vivid colors, and atmospheric effects
  • Reflected a growing interest in national identities, nature, and the inner world of the individual
• Realism sought to depict the world as it appeared, without idealization or embellishment
  • Characterized by a focus on everyday subjects, accurate representation of detail, and direct observation
  • Reflected the social and political changes of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the middle class
• While each movement had its distinct features, they also influenced and overlapped with one another
  • Some artists, such as Théodore Géricault and Eugène Delacroix, combined elements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism in their work
  • The Realist emphasis on direct observation and contemporary subjects laid the groundwork for the development of Impressionism