Neoclassicism vs. Romanticism

By: Shayna Hirsch

The Time Frame1740-1850

Late 17th Century

Art was heavily influenced by current events

Neoclassical Movement: The Absolute Truth

Influenced heavily by the Enlightenment movement

Glorified the freedom of religion

Separation of Church and State

Civil Liberties

People became more politically aware

Rational/Logical Thinking

The Age of Reason

Direct reaction against Rococo art

Rococo Art

“Rococo Art succeeded Baroque

Art in Europe. It is a light, elaborate

and decorative style of art.

Rococo was eventually replaced by

Neoclassicism, which was the

signature visual style of Napoleon

in France and of the American

revolution.”

Historical Context

Continued… Art became more logical and realistic in portrayal.

Enlightenment ideals

Classical themed art

People were free to exercise their reason.

Freedom from restraints

This cultural impact greatly affected art moving forward, because the people of Europe were finally in some sort of an agreement and could finally relax, apply more focus on the joys in life, and exercise their talents through expression.

As Time Continued…

Late 17th/Early 18th Century

The time of a Revolution

Industrial Revolution

The Napoleonic Wars

French Revolution

American Revolution

Scientific Discovery

Major cultural output

Things were changing. For everyone and everything. Each of these events affected artists in some way…

The Romantic Movement

“Depiction of Reality through Raw Emotions”

Reaction to Neoclassicism’s logical ideals

Very illogical

Glorifying the extremes and emotions through art

Chose to represent:

Current events, problems, and catastrophes

Portrayed art that brought about emotion in the viewers

Mannerism Heritage

Mannerist Art

“It is considered to be a period of

technical accomplishment but also

of formulaic, theatrical and overly

stylized work.

Mannerist Art is characterized by a

complex composition, with

muscular and elongated figures in

complex poses.”

Head vs. the Heart

Neoclassicism

Linear Style

Sharply defined forms

Careful brushstrokes

Elevated Roman

heroes/history

Local Color

Classic Geo-Structure

Romanticism

Painterly Style

Vivid Color

Less restrained

Figures and Landscapes

Emotional Extremes

Dramatic Compositions

Aurora and Cephalus

Artist: Pierre-Narcisse Guérin

Neoclassicist Painter

Burial of Atala

Artist: Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

Romantic Painter

Oedipus and the Sphinx

Artist: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Neoclassicist Painter

Chalk Cliffs on Rügen

Artist: Caspar David Friedrich

Romantic Painter

Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles

Artist: Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Neoclassicist Painter

Friedland, 1807

Artist: Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier

Romantic Painter

L’Excommunication de Robert le Pieux

Artist: Jean-Paul Laurens

Neoclassicist Painter

The Burning of the Houses of Parliament

Artist: J. M. W. Turner

Romantic Painter

Sources

"Late 18th & Early 19th Century, Neoclassicism, Romanticism." Art History Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2014.

"Art History Blogger: Italian Mannerist Painting." Art History Blogger: Italian Mannerist Painting. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2014. <http://arthistoryblogger.blogspot.com/2012/10/italian-mannerist-painting.html>.

Swinford, Beth. "Neoclassical Art Period vs Romanticism Art Period by Missbrackney." StudyMode. N.p., 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 13 Dec. 2014. <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Neoclassical-Art-Period-Vs-Romanticism-Art-1080228.html>.

Huddleston, Gregory. Classicism and Romanticism. The English Journal, Vol. 82, No. 4 (Apr., 1993), pp. 70-71

Antal, Friedrich. Reflections on Classicism and Romanticism. The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs, Vol. 66, No. 385 (Apr., 1935), pp. 159-163+166-168

http://www.ranker.com/list/neoclassicism-art-and-artwork/reference?page=3

http://www.ranker.com/list/romanticism-art-and-artwork/reference

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/rococo.html

http://arthistory.about.com/cs/arthistory10one/a/late_ren.htm