neoclassical art

Neoclassical Art(Second Half of 18th century)

Introduction

Neoclassical Art emerged in the mid-18th century and

spread through Europe until the first decades of the 19th

century

Reaction against the artificiality of the Baroque and the

Rococo.

Return to order, balance, serenity, proportion, harmony,

etc. of the ancient classical Greco-Roman style

Architecture

Focused on the rational, sensible, simple, and useful

Very little decoration (as opposed to the Baroque

and Rococo)

Elements of classical architecture returned:

the column as an essential element

classical designs and facades

use of domes.

Architecture: France

Pantheon of Illustrious Men (Paris)

Architecture: France

Pantheon of Illustrious Men (Paris)

Architecture: France

Church of St. Magdalene (Paris)

Architecture: France

Church of St. Magdalene (Paris)

Architecture: France

Arc de Triompe (Paris)

Architecture: France

Resembles theArch of Titus

(Rome)

Arc de Triompe (Paris)

Architecture: Spain – Sabatini

Puerta de Alcalá (Madrid)

Architecture: Spain – Juan de Villanueva

Museo del Prado (Madrid)

Sculpture

Sculpture evolves from complex & dynamic Baroque styles to

calmer and more balanced compositions

Characteristics:

Modeled after Classical Greek sculpture

Classical traditions: mythology, portraits, commemorative

arches

Idealization of reality: search for ideal beauty, serene

expressions, etc

Use of non-polychromed marble or bronze

Sculpture: Cánova (Italy)

Cánova was the most important sculptor in European neoclassical

sculpture

Mythological themes, ancient classical style

The Three Graces Apolo coronándose a sí mismo

Sculpture: Cánova (Italy)

Amor y psique

(Psique reanimada por

el beso)

Sculpture: France

La partida de los voluntarios de 1789

(Marseilles)

Sculpture: Spain

El ángel caído (El Retiro)

Painting

The challenge: few original Greek and Roman paintings

existed for painters to use as a model

Little interest in light and color

Coldness, excessive linearity, lack of movement

Themes: mythological, portrait, historical events

Painting: David

Judgement of the Horacios

Painting: David

Napolean crossing the Alps

Painting: Ingres

The Great Odalisque

With a partner…

Do activity 3 on page 24.

Using what you have learned about the Rococo and

Neoclassical styles, comment on the characteristics of 2-3 of

the works shown on page 25. Do you like the work?

Why/why not?