Paintings

Often considered the direct opposite of the Romantic era, Neoclassical art had
a huge hold on Europe for many years. At the root of its philosophy,
Neoclassicism revived the "true style" of classical art the world had come to
know from Ancient Greece and Rome.

Painters like Jacques-Louis David made this style famous through the
symbolic painting of the Oath of the Horatii. It depicted a Roman legend of two
warring cities and stressed the importance of sacrifice for one's country.

The Oath of the Horatii

The main characteristics of Neoclassical paintings were de-emphasized
backgrounds, organizing the composition around symbolic numbers, and
telling idealistic stories of moral triumph and civic duty.

German painter Caspar David Friedrich once said, "The artists' feeling is his
law." And it was in early landscape paintings like his that the Romantic era
began. You see, Romantics believed in expressing the brutalities of human
emotion through art.
Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich
Powerful compositions erupted during this time, with artists often painting
mythical, landscape, or historical scenes focused around a particular
message. Romantics rejected the rational ways of Neoclassical artists, and
upheld their love of individual expression over the restraints of traditional
customs.

Sculpture
Most of what we see in sculpture during this time lends itself to the
Neoclassical side of art. The rigidity of marble meant that expressive and
expansive gestures were far too limiting for Romantic artists.
Even with very few examples of Greek sculpture still available at this time,
sculptors reveled in the classic beauty of an art form they believed to be
superior to its Roman counterpart. Successful excavations meant that more
people were collecting antique sculptures, not only for museums but also for
their own private collections.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss Sculpture by Antonio Canova

At the core of Neoclassical sculpture was this massive belief in a sense of

decorum. Idealized faces adorned the bodies of classical heroes dressed in
their preferred uniforms. Gestures and emotions were always restrained to
place more focus on the idea of "calm grandeur," beautiful forms, and spiritual
nobility.

We can see evidence of this in work from Jean-Pierre Cortot, who created Le
Triomphe de 1810. This bas-relief sculpture resides on the famous Arc de
Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris, featuring Napoleon being crowned by the
goddess of Victory.
Decorative Arts
Neoclassical art also saw a wave of interest in the area of decorative arts and
pottery. Deemed the Greek Revival, many Greek-inspired etchings and
engravings appeared on the walls of famous buildings and homes.

Though different in style, the eras of Neoclassical and Romantic art both
became embedded in Europe's history. Their wide range of culture and
influence is a true testament to the evolution of art. And I hope you continue to
learn more about these amazing timelines on your own.

For more incredible tales of Neoclassical or Romantic art history, dive into the
links below for further reading. And join me next month when we discuss
Impressionism.