The Age of Enlightenment:

Neoclassicism

Chapter 22

The Rise of Modernism The “modern” era of art

history coincides with three

revolutions:

Political revolutions in America

and France, resulting in

democratic governments.

The Industrial Revolution starting

in England, resulting in new

inexpensive products including oil

paint in a tube.

The Scientific Revolution (part of

the Enlightenment) in which

Church authority questioned,

“reason”, data, and observation

the basis of authority.

Neoclassicism: The First Modern Style

Neoclassicism: art historical

style that is

Pure forms based on design

Exhibit planarity: objects are

parallel to the picture plane

Subjects that inspire morality

Emotionally restrained

Interest in the ancient Roman

Republic and Athenian Greek

Democracy…Inspired by the

discovery of the ruins of

Pompeii and the Grand Tour

Birth of Contemporary History

paintings Angelica Kauffman, The Artist in the Character

of Design Listening to the Inspiration of Poetry

Gavin Hamilton, Andromache Bewailing the Death of Hector, engraving from 1764.

Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Presenting Her Children as her Treasures, 1785. Fig. 22.3

Benjamin West, The Death of General Wolfe, 1770. Figure 22.4

Lord Burlington and William Kent, Chiswick House, London. Begun 1725. Figure 22.5

Houdon, Voltaire Seated,

1781. Terracotta model for

a marble original. Figure

22.12

David, Oath of the Horatii, oil on canvas, 1784-1785, Figure

After this lecture you should be

able to…

Explain the influence of the three revolutions on

the Neoclassical art.

Industrial revolution

French and American revolutions

Scientific revolution/Enlightenment

Compare and contrast the Neoclassic style with

the Rococo.