Neoclassicism & Rococo

Antiquity

renewed interest in the late 18th century

Archeology

new field increased observation of antiquity

scientific Approach

emphasis over religion/faith impacted aesthetics of style

popular vacation themes for upper class

Grand Tour of Italy

classical artistic style

heroic subject matter

Neoclassicism

historical subject matter

contemporary settings

Moralizing Tone

opposite of Rococo; inspired by Voltaire

Greatest Hero

warm-up

Pop Culture

Fictional

Historical

Personal

Patron

Virginia Legislature

installed in the Capitol rotunda in 1796, the year Washington published his Farewell Address

Location

Artist

world renowned artist whose work embodied the ideals of the period (truth, simplicity, & grace)

Neoclassicism

• contemporary setting/costume
• Washington requested he be dressed in Revolutionary War uniform over toga
• Roots as a farmer
• Farmer's plow acts as support
• Holds a civilian walking cane
• antiquity
• leans on a fasces depicted as a bundle of 13 rods with arrows between them
• Roman symbol of civil authority
• represents original 13 colonies & strength found in unity
• sword
• hands on the fasces, just out of reach of the subject, indicative of his retirement
• contrapposto stance
• visual reference to Greek democratic ideals

3 min

Warm-up

Build Your Own

http://classroom.monticello.org/kids/activities/

Artist

"An Essay in Architecture"

• no formal training
• researched Roman/Renaissance styles
• octagonal dome

Neoclassicism

Powerful Propaganda Tool

• elicit social change
• inspire education
• promote enlightenment

Maison Caree

inspired many of his designs of French structure

http://classroom.monticello.org/kids/resources/profile/391/Elementary/FAQ-Monticello-Architecture/

Extra-Enrichment

Monticello

Virginia, US, Thomas Jeffereson (architect), 1768-1809 CE, brick/glass/stone/wood

Warm-Up

Should the individual or the state be more important?

complete departure from Rococo; became standard by which all Neoclassical paintings were judged

Groundbreaking

• moment before the fight between Horatii (representing Rome) & Curiatti (representing Alba)
• one of crying sisters married to a Curiatti
• depiction with the Horatii symbolizes importance of familial loyalty over marriage ties

Subject

intended to remind viewers that loyalty to the state (symbolized as family) trumped individual loyalties (symbolized as marriage)

King Louis XVI

Patron

15 years after this piece, David became the official artist of FR

French Revolution

6 min

Extra Enrichment

Warm-Up

Compare this piece to a similar Renaissance painting.

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1814 CE, oil on canvas

neoclassicism

the Venetian School

Venus of Urbino, Titian, 1538 CE, oil on canvas

Patron

Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples

sister of Napoleon Bonaparte

Subject

• inspired by reclining female nudes of Renaissance
• reinvented subject as a member of a Turkish harem

between Neoclassical & Romantic

Transition

artist influence by style; explains unrealistic anatomy paired with detailed precision of fabrics

Mannerism

Context

4 min

Queen Marie Antoinette

favorite portrait artist; earned her a place at the French Royal Academy of Art before FR

fled to Italy; became known for portraits of Italian, Russian, & Austrian aristocrats

French Revolution

• one of her first self-portraits
• painted in Florence & Rome
• part of gallery of well-known self-portraits

Uffizi Gallery

Patron

• happy & youthful
• working on portrait of her former queen

Subject