NeoClassic » French Revolution

The characteristics and composition of neoclassical paintings

Neo — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:30 +0000

One man, dressed in rags, sits stoically in his throne as a laurel wreath is gently placed atop his head by an otherworldly angel. Surrounding him is his audience; men and women varying in facial expressions, dress, and appearance. All these personalities are so dissimilar to one another, yet so familiar to us. There is [...]

Neoclassical painting versus Rococo Style & Romantic painting

Neo — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:47:26 +0000

The movement of neoclassicism was elevated by rejecting the popular movements of its day. Throughout the art world (centered primarily in Europe), the popular movement of the early 18th century in artistry was the Rococo style – which itself had been born as an extension to the baroque movement. To subscribers of neoclassical paintings, the [...]

Neoclassicism’s attempts to recapture Roman and Greek civilizations

Neo — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:35:16 +0000

“The most important aspects of classical art,” observed German historian and archaeologist Johann J. Winckelmann, “is its noble simplicity and calm grandeur.” As an archaeologist, Winckelmann became inspired by the ancient artifacts being recovered at the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, the popular stylization in European art was baroque and rococo [...]

Jacques Louis David

Neo — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:09:35 +0000

When the name “Napoleon Bonaparte” is mentioned, the visual that immediately pops into minds is one of the former Emperor sitting on a horse, braving the stormy weather, and gesturing his hands forward to symbolize the inevitability and greatness of his conquests. This iconic image was intended by design to become indelibly linked with Napoleon [...]