Neoclassicism-An example for the library assignment

Here's a modified outline style that you can use as a model for Question 1 on the library assignment.

Neoclassicism was a movement that dominated European art and architecture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was marked by an heroic severity of tone-a reaction against the frivolity of the ROCOCO-and by a desire for archaeologically correct details, in part stimulated by the discovery of (the ruins of) Herculaneum and Pompeii. Whereas the BAROQUE had been the style of Absolutism, Neoclassicism was an expression of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, and classical forms were seen as embodying a reason and order corresponding to the prevailing philosophical and social outlook. In France it is particularly associated with the Revolution and a desire to instill ancient Roman virtues into civic life. Not surprisingly, Neoclassicism generated more theoretical writing than any previous movement in the arts, Winckelmann being the most important contributor. He thought that the outstanding characteristics of ancient art were "noble simplicity and calm grandeur", qualities that one indeed finds in the works of the greatest Neoclassical artists such as Canova and David, though with lesser exponents the results could be merely ponderous or cold. (Piper, 1984)

• I. Roots
  • A. Role of the Enlightenment (ideas of Hume, Voltaire, Rousseau-human affairs ought to be ruled by reason and the common good(Janson)) and the decline of the Church
    • 1. Education more important for the general public
    • 2. Breakthrough of the printed word-large reading public with demands on art
  • B. Disapproval of Rococo art by the philosophes (Diderot)- need for morality and seriousness in art. (Hobbs,1992) Follows Poussin, see G.Artist Jean Baptiste Greuze praised by the philosophes for depicting bourgeois life (The Village Bride -1761) (Lamm) Later judgements of Grueze not as complimentary. Rustics often shown as simple peasants with coy mannerisms, reflecting the prevalent view of the courtiers.
  • C. Changes in patronage and availability of art previously restricted to the upper class.
  • D. New interests in classic civilizations (discovery of Herculaneum-1738- and Pompeii -1748)
    • 1. Piranesi-Views of Rome -new views of Roman ruins
    • 2. Winckelmann-German art historian-"…noble simplicity and calm grandeur" of Greek art. Art should embody three things: the "universal", the "ideal" and "moral force". (Hobbs, 1992)
  • E. Painting emphasized balanced formalism, precise linear drawing and classical subjects. (Russell, 1993)
  • F. Neoclassical architecture stressed straight lines and classical ornament; Jefferson's Monticello and most government buildings in Washington as examples. (Russell, 1993)
  • G. Nicholas Poussin (1594-1665) earlier version of Neoclassicism. "Highest aim of painting to represent noble and serious actions-not as they really happened but as they would have happened if nature were perfect." Poussin spent a good deal of his life working in Rome, viewing the remains of classical art and architecture. The artist, Poussin believed, should strive for the general and typical, appealling to the mind not the senses. The Rape of the Sabine Women (1636-37) is characteristic of these intentions, with a scene of extreme emotion rendered into a "frozen" moment. Poussin brought these intentions to landscape as well in Landscape with the Burial of Phocin (1648). (Janson,1991) Phocin was a Greek hero who died for refusing to conceal the truth. Poussin's landscape is precise and orderly and permeated with a rational calm.
• 2. Examples
  • A. Jacques Louis David (1748-1825), painter
    • 1. Oath of the Horatii (1784) sources Livy's history of Rome, Corneille's play, Horace. Oath of three brothers to fight a death duel to settle a war. Personified patriotism, later seen as a symbol of the French Revolution. Strong compositional elements with simple background, primary colors. (Hobbs, 1984)
    • 2.The Death of Sokrates -1787) sharp composition with precision in detail. Twelve disciples depicted (founder of the "religion of Reason"-Janson) -message "Men of principle should be willing to die for their principles." (Lamm) Shallow space, dominance of vertical and horizontal line. (Russell, 1993)
    • 3.The Death of Marat (1793)Planned public memorial to a martyred hero. (Janson,1991 ) Shallow space, highly defined shapes. Individual death raised by patriotic act.
  • B. Jean Auguste Ingres (1780-1867), painter, La Grande Odalisque (1874) Emphasis on pomp, fantasy and occasionally eroticism. Careful rendering ("drawing is the truth of art") and clearly defined shapes. (Hobbs, 1992)
  • C. Jean Antoine Houdon (1744-1822)
    • 1. Sculpted Enlightenment heros along with Americans such as Franklin, Jefferson and Washington. (Hobbs,1992)
    • 2.Borrowed classical poses but maintained sense of the individual (Janson, 1991)
  • D. Music-as in the 18th century classical music, "order, balance and restraint"-Winkelmann's "noble simplicity".
    • 1. Igor Stravinsky-L'Histoire du soldat (1918) a "narrative ballet in five scenes, to be read, played, and danced. (Swafford, 1992)
    • 2. Pulcinella -new orchestral sound that recalled the 18th century. New aesthetic of clarity, economy, restraint and "pure" music.
  • E. Literature-attempt to attain classical ideals of order, balance and restraint, particularly in the drama.
    • 1. Moliere (Jean Baptiste Poquelin-1622-1673) holds behavior up to the measure of reason and moderation, demonstrating both ends of the spectrum (hypocrisy -Tartuffe- vs. total honesty- The Misanthrope) or other exaggerated conceits (avarice- The Miser, hypochondria- The Imaginary Invalid)
    • 2. Jean Racine -Inspired by classical situations and characters, rare insight into psychology. His link to religious group, the Jansenists, brought a moral tone to his works, particularly Phaedra.
• Bibliography

Hobbs, Jack A. and Duncan, Robert L. Arts, Ideas and Civilization. 2nd edition. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 1992.

Janson, H.W. History of Art. 4th edition. Abrams. New York 1991.

Lamm, Robert C. and Cross, Neal. M. The Humanities in Western Culture: A Search for Human Values. 2nd edition. Wm. C. Brown. Dubuque, Iowa. 1989.

Swafford, Jan. The Vintage Guide to Classical Music. Randon House. New York. 1992.

Piper, Sir David. editor. Randon House Dictionary of Art and Artists. Random House. New York. 1984.

Russell, Stella Pandell. Art in the World. 4th edition. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Fort Worth. 1993.