We explain what Neoclassicism was, what its general characteristics are and how it was applied to other artistic disciplines.
What is Neoclassicism?
Neoclassicism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Rome in the 18th century and then spread throughout Europe. He opposed the styles that preceded him, such as Rococo and Baroque, which he considered vain and based on fantasy.
Neoclassicism reflected the political and social reality of an era characterized by violent clashes between classes, such as the French Revolution (1789). It accompanied the beginning of a new era called Age of Enlightenmentwhich alluded to the clarity of knowledge and reason, to “enlighten” the ignorant humanity of the time.
The period of neoclassicism resulted in the transition from the old regime to a new one, based on the dissemination of knowledge from science and reason. At the beginning of the 19th century and before the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte (1815) the neoclassical movement gave rise to romanticism, which lasted until the 20th century and was based on emotions, individuality and freedom.
See also: Bourgeois revolutions
Characteristics of Neoclassicism
The neoclassical works were serious, with moderate emphasis on emotions and created from the simplicity of the technique. Through precise representations, both in the detail of the faces and the settings, and credible attitudes, the works expressed situations of the society of the time.
Among the main characteristics of neoclassicism, it stands out that:
- It was the art of the century of revolutions and sought to achieve order and harmony through morality.
- It involved the decorative and visual arts, literature, theater, music and architecture.
- He broke with the crowded baroque style, in search of a more rational and realistic style.
- He transformed society through art, with new enlightened approaches based on science and knowledge.
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture It was characterized by the grandeur in its scale and the use of columns. However, simplicity predominated compared to the ancient Greek or Roman styles, which were loaded with a large number of ornamental elements in order to show off. The neoclassical buildings were imposing and simplistic at the same time.
The neoclassical style It became very popular in the architecture of Europe and the United States.especially with buildings considered icons, such as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Germany, the Capitol in Washington DC and the Baltimore Basilica in Maryland, United States).
Neoclassical painting
Neoclassical works They presented clean and perfect lineswhich avoided showing the brush strokes. The settings and characters were represented in realistic situations, to convey the intellectual ideas and current situations of the time.
Neoclassical painting sought to differentiate itself from the styles that preceded itsuch as Rococo, which was characterized by opulence, elegance and the use of intense colors, and Baroque, which was ostentatious, gloomy and dark.
Both Rococo and Baroque art alluded to fantasy situations and naked goddesses. Neoclassical works, Without giving up nudes, they opposed this utopian art and they stood out for representing reality and morality.
The neoclassical It was based on complete symmetry and statics which attempted to bring reason into art, and expressed the logic and skepticism of the time in his works. Bright light and very little color were used. During this period, landscapes became fashionable and the works showed the cities and customs of the time.
Neoclassical art was influenced by Greek and Roman mythologywith which it shared certain values. Mythological thinkers were examples of moral conduct to follow, far from lust, corruption or luxury.
Among the main representatives of neoclassical painting, the following stood out:
- Antoine-Juan Gros (1771-1835), France.
- Anne-Loui Girodet-Trioson (1767-1824), France.
- Jacques-Louis David (1771-1835), France.
- Anton Rafael Mengs (1728-1779), Spain.
- Juan Antonio Ribera (1997-1860), Spain.
- Andrea Appiani (1754-1817), Italy.
- Angelika Kauffman (1741-1807), Germany.
- Leo von Klenze (1784-1864), Germany.
Neoclassical literature
Neoclassical literature showed a deep interest in disseminating knowledgebased on reason and science. It pursued didactic and moralistic aims and rejected the excess of baroque imagination. It was influenced by the classical ideas of great thinkers and philosophers, such as Aristotle and Socrates.
Among the neoclassical literary works the essay emerges (as a genre to disseminate ideas based on reason), the encyclopedia (as a new genre to disseminate human knowledge in general) and the fable (which aims to leave a teaching or moral).
Among the main representatives of literature, the following stood out:
- Alexander Pope (1688-1744), England.
- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), England.
- Jean de la Fontaine (1621-1695), France.
- Jean-Baptiste Poquelin – Moliere (1622-1673), France.
- Pierre Corneille (1606-1684), France.
- Jean Racine (1639-1699), France.