Let’s start with art

Overview of Neo-Overview of Neo-ClassicismClassicism

Overview of Neo-Overview of Neo-ClassicismClassicism$ Baroque and Neoclassicism dominated the

17th century and into the 18th century of art.

$ More than just an antique revival a reaction against the surviving Baroque & Rococo styles.

$ Linked to contemporary political events:

S Revolutions established republics in France and in America. [Neo-Classicism was adapted as the official art style].

S Association with the democracy of Greece and the republicanism of Rome.

S Napoleon used the style for propaganda.

1. Excavations of the Ruins 1. Excavations of the Ruins of Italian Citiesof Italian Cities

1. Excavations of the Ruins 1. Excavations of the Ruins of Italian Citiesof Italian Cities

Herculaneum in 1738.

Pompeii in 1748.

2. Publication of Books on 2. Publication of Books on AntiquityAntiquity

2. Publication of Books on 2. Publication of Books on AntiquityAntiquity

James Stuart & Nicholas RevertAntiquities in Athens: 1762-1816.

3. Arrival of the Elgin 3. Arrival of the Elgin MarblesMarbles

3. Arrival of the Elgin 3. Arrival of the Elgin MarblesMarbles

Thomas Bruce,7th Lord of ElginBritish Museum,

1806

From the top façade of the Parthenon in Athens.

4. Johann Winckelmann’s 4. Johann Winckelmann’s Artists CircleArtists Circle

4. Johann Winckelmann’s 4. Johann Winckelmann’s Artists CircleArtists Circle

German art historian.

$ Artists should “imitate” the timeless, ideal forms of the classical world.

$ A circle of international artists gathered about him in the 1760s in Rome.

Characteristics of Neo-Characteristics of Neo-ClassicismClassicism

Characteristics of Neo-Characteristics of Neo-ClassicismClassicism$ Return to the perceived “purity” of the

arts of Rome.

$ Model the “ideal” of the ancient Greek arts and, to a lesser, extent, 16c Renaissance classicism.

$ A conviction that there is a permanent, universal way things are (and should be), which obviously entails fundamental political and ethical commitments.

$ Sometimes considered anti-modern or even reactionary.

Robert Robert AdamAdamRobert Robert AdamAdam

Scottish architect & designer Syon House

1760s

Syon HouseThe Red Salon

Claude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas Ledoux

$ Designed a pavilion in 1771 for the Comtesse du Barry at Louveciennes.

$ Designed a series of city gates for Paris (1785-1789).

Claude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas LedouxClaude Nicholas Ledoux

Rotunde de la Villette, Paris

John WoodJohn WoodJohn WoodJohn Wood

“The Royal Crescent [Circus]” at Bath, England (1754).

The “Empire Style”:The “Empire Style”: Charles Percier & Charles Percier & Pierre François Pierre François Léonard FontaineLéonard Fontaine

The “Empire Style”:The “Empire Style”: Charles Percier & Charles Percier & Pierre François Pierre François Léonard FontaineLéonard Fontaine $ Napoleon’s

official architects.

$ They remade Paris in the intimidating opulence of Roman imperial architectural style.

Greek-Inspired Greek-Inspired ArchitectureArchitecture

Greek-Inspired Greek-Inspired ArchitectureArchitecture

Bank of England Rotunda

Sir John Soane, 1796 British Museum Portico

Sir Robert Smirke,1823-1847

The “Federal Style” The “Federal Style” in in AmericaAmerica

The “Federal Style” The “Federal Style” in in AmericaAmerica$ 1780 – 1820.

$ Thomas Jefferson’s influence.

Monticello, VA

University of VA

U. S. Capitol

The “Greek Revival Style” The “Greek Revival Style” in in AmericaAmerica

The “Greek Revival Style” The “Greek Revival Style” in in AmericaAmerica

Second Bank of the USPhiladelphia, 1824

““Parnassus”Parnassus”Anton Raphael Mengs, 1761Anton Raphael Mengs, 1761

““Parnassus”Parnassus”Anton Raphael Mengs, 1761Anton Raphael Mengs, 1761

Mengs was the leading artist of early Neo-Classicism.

““The Oath of Brutus”The Oath of Brutus”Gavin Hamilton, 1767Gavin Hamilton, 1767

““The Oath of Brutus”The Oath of Brutus”Gavin Hamilton, 1767Gavin Hamilton, 1767

The oath was sworn as a promise of individual revenge against a corrupt monarchy.

““The Death of Socrates”The Death of Socrates”Jacques-Louis David, 1787Jacques-Louis David, 1787

““The Death of Socrates”The Death of Socrates”Jacques-Louis David, 1787Jacques-Louis David, 1787

The death of Socrates was a symbol of republican virtue.

““The Oath of the Horatii”The Oath of the Horatii”Jacques-Louis David, 1784Jacques-Louis David, 1784

““The Oath of the Horatii”The Oath of the Horatii”Jacques-Louis David, 1784Jacques-Louis David, 1784

A depiction of dutiful patriotism.

““The Consecration of Napoleon & The Consecration of Napoleon & Josephine”Josephine”

Jacques-Louis David, 1805-1807Jacques-Louis David, 1805-1807

““The Consecration of Napoleon & The Consecration of Napoleon & Josephine”Josephine”

Jacques-Louis David, 1805-1807Jacques-Louis David, 1805-1807

A very different theme:The celebration of worldly splendor and power.

““The Apotheosis of Homer”The Apotheosis of Homer”Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres,

18271827

““The Apotheosis of Homer”The Apotheosis of Homer”Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres,

18271827

This assembly of great artists and writers of all ages gathered to honor the ancient Greek poet before a

classical temple.

““Romulus—Victory over Romulus—Victory over Acron”Acron”

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1812Ingres, 1812

““Romulus—Victory over Romulus—Victory over Acron”Acron”

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1812Ingres, 1812

Painted for Napoleon’s palace in Rome.

““The Sabine Women”The Sabine Women”Jean Auguste Ingres, 1799Jean Auguste Ingres, 1799

““The Sabine Women”The Sabine Women”Jean Auguste Ingres, 1799Jean Auguste Ingres, 1799

Neo-Classical SculptureNeo-Classical SculptureNeo-Classical SculptureNeo-Classical Sculpture

$ Profoundly influenced by ancient art since the Renaissance.

$ Neo-Classical sculptors avoided the dramatic twisting poses and colored marble surfaces characteristic of late Baroque and Rococo sculpture.

$ They preferred:

S Crisp contours.

S A noble stillness.

S Idealized white marble forms.

Antonio Antonio CanovaCanovaAntonio Antonio CanovaCanova

“Apollo Crowning Himself,” 1781 “Perseus with the Head of

Medusa,” 1804-1806

Antonio Antonio CanovaCanovaAntonio Antonio CanovaCanova

“Paulina Bonaparte,” 1808

“Hercules”

Bertel Bertel ThorvaldsenThorvaldsen

Bertel Bertel ThorvaldsenThorvaldsen

“Jason,”1803-1823 “Adonis,” 1808-

1832

FurnitureFurnitureFurnitureFurniture$ The furniture designs used Greco-

Roman motifs.

$ Became known as style étrusque [“Etruscan style”] in France.

$ Were favored by the court of Louis XV and later by Napoleon I.

Josiah Josiah WedgwoodWedgwood

Josiah Josiah WedgwoodWedgwood

Greek vases found in excavations became models for this new type of

ceramics.

Neo-Classicism Continued Neo-Classicism Continued Into the 19c and Beyond….Into the 19c and Beyond….Neo-Classicism Continued Neo-Classicism Continued Into the 19c and Beyond….Into the 19c and Beyond….

$ By the mid-19s, several European cities were transformed into veritable museums of Neo-Classical architecture.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Buckingham Palace,

London

The Gate of Alcala, Madrid

American Renaissance” American Renaissance” MovementMovement

American Renaissance” American Renaissance” MovementMovement

$ A Neo-Classical expression in Beaux-Arts architecture.

Lincoln Memorial

American Museum of

Natural History

National Gallery of Art

The “Sunset” of Neo-The “Sunset” of Neo-ClassicismClassicism

The “Sunset” of Neo-The “Sunset” of Neo-ClassicismClassicism$ Sir Edwin Lutyan a monumental city

plan for New Delhi during the British Raj.

Rashtrapati Bhavan[President’s House]

India Gate Monument

• GO TO ROCOCO POWER POINT Then come back

Music• 17th and 18th century were formative years for

classical music. – Rise of opera, oratorio, the sonata, the concerto and the

symphony. – Italians were first on the scene. – Most musicians depended on a patron and Italy and

Germany soon became the musical leaders of Europe.

Baroque Music• Baroque techniques, which dominated Europe from the

1600’s to the 1750’s were mainly perfected by Handel and Bach.

• Johann Sebastian Bach- music was above all a means to worship God– Mass in B Minor, Saint Matthew’s Passion, the cantatas and motets.

Baroque Music• Also from Germany, although he wrote over 40 operas and

many other secular pieces, he is best known for his religious music. – His Messiah has been called a masterpiece of the highest order.

Although Bach and Handel composed many instrumental suites, orchestral music did not become popular until the second half of the 18th century.

Classical Music• With the invention of the piano, a new musical period emerged,

the Classical Period, represented by Haydn and Mozart. • Caused the musical center of Europe to shift from

Italy/Germany to the Austrian Empire.• Franz Joseph Haydn- Hungarian, wrote two great oratorios The

Creation and the Seasons- both dedicated to the common people.

Classical Music• The concerto, symphony and opera all reached their

zenith in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.• Italian comic opera- The Marriage of Figaro, Don

Giovanni and the Magic Flute are three of the world’s greatest operas.

Development of the Novel and History

• 18th century was the decisive development of the novel- grew out of medieval romances.

• English are credited with establishing the modern novel as the chief vehicle for fiction writing.

• Attractive to women readers and writers.• Philosophes were responsible for creating a revolution in the writing of

history. • Eliminated the role of God in history and focused on the events themselves

searching for causal relationship in the natural world.• Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbons is the best

example.

High Culture of the 18th Century• High culture vs. popular culture- the literary and artistic world of

the educated and wealthy ruling classes. • Growth in publishing, including the development of magazines

and newspapers for the general public. • New schools with broader subject matter began opening, also

created mainly for the upper class though. • Prior to this era, torture was common in court to gain

confessions, public executions were normal– Philosophes were determined to change this aspect of society with a

new approach to justice.

Cesare Beccaria• “On Crime and Punishments” he argued that punishments

should serve only as deterrents not exercises in brutality.• Opposed capital punishment because it didn’t prevent

crime, imprisonment, deprivation of freedom, did prevent crime, so it should be used.– Capital punishment harmed society too, because it set an example

of barbarianism. – By the end of the 18th century, this growing sentiment brought

about a decline in torture and executions.

Popular Culture• Carnival; celebrated in the weeks before lent- a time of great

indulgence• Taverns and Alcohol- became huge among the poor, 2-5

million gallons drank between 1714-1733 and only declined when laws were passed.

• Big difference between high culture and popular culture.

Religion and Churches• Music of the time largely religious, thinking of the time largely

non religious, but most Europeans were still Christians. • Churches were conservative institutions that upheld

traditions of society and the hierarchy of society.• Churches were largely state controlled• The role of the Pope in politics and state affairs greatly

declined. • Religious toleration slowly increased, except for the Jews.

– Except in Poland, Jews were restricted in their movements, forbidden to hold land, certain jobs and forced to pay special taxes.

– Philosophes denounced the treatment of Jews, but nothing really changes.

Popular Religion• Pietism- a German response to the desire for a deeper

personal relationship with God. • Utterly opposed anyone who tried to understand God with

their mind. • Wesley and Methodism- took the gospel to the people, the

masses

European Population• Population began to grow around the 1750’s (120 million

1700- 140 million by 1750)• Increases occurred at the same time as lots of Europeans

moving to colonies.• Most important cause was the death rate (end of the plague,

improved diets…)

Family, Birth and Marriage• Still patriarchal in nature, father dominated wife and children,

the collective interests of the family should be put over individual interests.

• Arranged marriage still prevalent. • Lower class- breast fed, upper class, hired people to breast

feed because they considered it undignified. • Children began dressing in more age appropriate clothes vs.

miniature adult clothes.• Primogeniture- first son favored came under attack• Infanticide was still a solution to too many families in hard

times. • Married couples moved out of their parent’s homes• Marriages occurred later so that people could afford to do this. • Illegitimate children increased.

Marriage and the Family• Working class families still lived by the family economy-

where women and children contributed to the work. • Same in rural areas, except on the farm. • Wives worked as assistants to their husbands, on the farm or

as cleaners, laundresses or peddlers to the rich.

Agricultural Revolution• 18th century agriculture was characterized by increases in

food production which can be attributed to– More farmland– Increased yields per acre– Healthier and more abundant livestock– Improved climate

Climate improved across Europe, open field system was abandoned for planting nitrogen rich crops that would replenish the soil.

Number of livestock increased, leading to an increase in meat in diet, same with vegetables coming from colonies

Jethro Tull discovered the hoe and drill to plant seeds in rows.

Methods of Finance• Decline of silver and gold in the 17th century created a shortage

of money that undermined governments. • The establishment of banks and the use of the paper note

made it possible to expand credit (and debt) in the 18th century.

European Industry• Textiles, the most important product in the 18th century• Textiles still produced by traditional methods, but in the 18th

century textile industry shifted to the countryside. – Produced by the putting out or domestic system, when the

entrepreneur brought the raw materials, mostly wool and flax and put them out to rural workers who spun them into yard and cloth.

– Entrepreneurs sold the finished product, made a profit and used it to make more.

This would be incapable of keeping up as demand increased in the later years.

Richard Arkwright invents the water frame, which turned out cotton much faster than spinning wheels.

Social Order- Peasants• Medieval societal organization continued into the 18th century.• Social status- determined by hereditary vs. wealth• Peasants still 85% of society

– Difference between a free peasant and as serf– Free peasants owned little or no land and barely made enough to live

off of.

Villages- center of peasant’s lives, maintained public order, provided relief for poor, housed the church, school and tax collections.

Nobility• Only 2-3% of the population- dominated society.• Played an important role in government and military affairs.• Gap between the rich and the poor was enormous

Mid Class- Townies• Still a distinct minority of the total population.• Wide variety of people and wealth from the

oligarchs/patricians, to the non noble office holders, lawyers, bankers to the artisans and then the unskilled workers.

• Poverty was a big problem in cities and the country.