Arts of the Neoclassical and Romantic Period

Neoclassicism (1780 - 1840)

The word neoclassic came from the greek word neos meaning "new" and the latin word
classicus which is similar in meaning to the english phrase "first class".

Neoclassical
The Neoclassical movement coincided with the 18th century age of reason also known as the
age of enlightenment.

Neoclassicism
This is the renewed interest in classical ideas and forms that influenced European and
American society through ideas, politics, and fine arts during the 18th and 19th century.
It also refers to the art forms created after but inspired by the ancient times.
This period was derived from the Classicism movement.

Classicism
This is the period in which Greek and Roman principles and styles were reflected in society.

Neo-classical artists
There are a number of neo-classical artists from Europe and the United States.
Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) France
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the Neoclassical style and considered
to be the pre-eminent painter of the era. His subjects of paintings were more on history

The Death of Marat (J. David)

This is a painting of the murdered French revolutionary leader Jean-Paul Marat.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps (J. David)

- It was a large painting that depicts a scene from a Roman legend about the dispute
between Rome and Alba Longa.

Romanticism

- Romanticism was a movement in which the artists of Neoclassical period sought to

break new ground in the expression of emotion, both subtle and stormy.

PAINTERS OF THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

- Jean louis Théodore Géricault (1791 – 1824) France Géricault was the first French
master and the leader of the French realistic school. His masterpieces were energetic,
powerful, brilliantly colored, and tightly composed.
PAINTERS OF THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

- Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) France • Ingres was a pupil of Jacques-

Louis David. He was influenced by Italian Renaissance painters like Raphael, Nicolas
Pousin, Botticelli, and his mentor, Jacques-Louis David.

The Apotheosis of Homer - a state-commission by Charles X. Depicts an image of Homer,

receiving all the brilliant men of Rome, Greece, and contemporary times.

Artists looked to Roman styles during the time of Alexander the Great for inspiration

Antonio Canova (1757-1822) Italy - Italian artist and sculptor; became famous for his marble
sculptures that delicately rendered nude flesh.

Psyche Awakened by Cupid's Kiss - marble sculpture portraying the relationship of Psyche
and Cupid.

Washington - a marble sculpture of Washington currently displayed at North Carolina

Museum of History.

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1789-1838) Denmark - first internationally acclaimed Danish artist.

executed sculptures of mythological and religious themes characters.

Christ - marble sculpture image of resurrected Christ currently located at the Thorvaldsen
Museum.

Temple Style
- based on an ancient temple. These buildings were uncommon during the Renaissance
as architects of that period focused mainly on applying classical elements to churches
and modern buildings

MOST FAMOUS TEMPLE STYLES OF THE NEO-CLASSICAL AGE

1. Panthéon, Paris, by Jacques-Germain Soufflot
2. British Museum, London, Robert Smirke
3. La Madeleine de Paris, by Pierre-Alexandre Vignon

NEOCLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
- features a rectangular or square plan, with a flat roof and an exterior rich in classical
detail. The exterior features a repeated classical pattern of arches and/or columns. The
overall impression of such a building classically-decorated rectangular block.

Types of Neoclassical Architecture:

PALADIAN STYLE
- based on Andrea Palladio's style of villa construction. Some of the buildings feature a
balustrade which is a railing with vertical supports along the edge of the roof.