Neoclassical and Impressionism - Essay Example

Key Words: Neo ical, Impressionism, Artwork, Period/Era, Neo ical & Impressionism Impressionism artworks Figure Starry Night By Vincent van Gog. Accessed on 24Th November 2012 from Figure 2: The Water-Lily Pond By Claude-Oscar Monet, 1899. Accessed on 24Th November from Figure 3: London Liverpool Street Train Station - Is It Me? Accessed on 24Th November 2012 from Neoclassical artworks Figure 4:"La Colere d'Achille" ("Wrath of Achilles"), 1810 by French painter Michel Martin Drolling. Accessed on 24Th November 2012 from Figure 5: The Nymph Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, 1829 By Navez, Francois-Joseph. Accessed on November 24, 2012 from < http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/neoclassical?before=1345684544> Figure 6: Neo-Classical Interior, circa 1820. Accessed on 24Th Novbemeber 2012 from Figure 6: Capitol Hill Neoclassical Architecture. Accessed on 24Th November 2012 from Introduction It is irrefutable that art and other related aspects like numerous innovations have undergone diverse evolutions to the present. Mainly, this emanated from the then artists’ creativity coupled with curiosity to experiment new skills, which they thought would work best compared to the ones they used (Bietoletti 119). This is evident from the impressionism artists who resulted to using brushes, and painted instead of the earlier artistic skills that entailed lines besides strict guidelines. Painting characterized impressionism artwork, whereby its emphasis entailed depiction of light and movement elements to reveal diverse effects as the viewers’ eyes shifted from one section to another in the same image. Artists of this period defied some earlier artistic guidelines that entailed adhering to basic aspects (like excessive emphasis on lines) meant to classify these images, but they kept the essence of being realistic in all their works. Consequently, this artistic period influenced diverse aspects besides innovations that marked its period and esteemed to date. Neoclassicism marked the onset of 19Th period movement that entailed strict adherence to austere linear design in expressing one’s ideas via artwork. Presently, numerous studies associate this period with architectural models, which by then involved, realistic drawing coupled with varied predetermined painting techniques. Therefore, the artists had to both apply and adhere to certain outlined rules, which was contrary to the impressionism period (Gunderson 7). This is because the latter besides realistic painting, it required artists’ varied and imaginative skills to convey the required message. Historical events Neoclassical epoch up to date marks the most remarkable phase in the European history. This is because of its various dynamic events, which characterized the period ranging from political to the empowerment of people’s economy in diverse ways. For illustration, military and political unrest that characterized the era aggravated by influential states (Britain) while in pursuit of annexing lesser regions to strength their economies. Hence, this yielded to heightened rate of colonization that influenced other states like Portugal to develop interest in Africa and US. This is because colonies besides acting as a sign of political power; they were principal source of industrial materials that boosted the states’ economic stability. Besides, economic stability in this era augmented due to the people’s literacy rise and marketing innovations as trade competition heightened among the party states. Studies associate this period with word “complacency” especially in Britain where people from the middle class were able to enjoy themselves fully. This is evident from the then inception habit of holding tea meetings in London besides the female gender’s drinking characterizing the period (Gunderson 15). In addition, the society started to recognize women privileges where some started relying on art for living though men never accepted them to be independent; hence, this marked the start of social reforms. Conversely, impressionism’s historical events entailed Franco-Prussian combat and the industrial revolution where the latter accelerated the art’s liberty from the old artistic ideals (Gunderson 8 & 15). This is because of social reforms that were evident during the industrial revolution, whereby young men and women from the middle class comprised the biggest percentage of workers. Therefore, artists embraced the then prevailing freedom and dropped ideals that bound them to adhere to set guidelines (Bietoletti 94). Inventions, technological advances and discoveries The key impressionism innovations encompassed camera and oil paint held in tubes, where the latter enabled artists to work outdoors with the aid of natural light (Gunderson 45). Therefore, they were able to produce quality artworks mostly influenced by what they could feature in reality instead of imagining while in the confinements of studios. Primarily, this entailed varying both light and shades to induce varied effects of the object’s uniqueness (Contemporary Review 121). Besides, artists utilized cameras to take scenery images aiming to incorporate them in their paintings, hence making their labor less tedious than before. An additional and crucial innovation, which boosted the impressionism artwork encompassed color theory (Brown 66). This offered artists freedom to convey their messages effectively via creative artworks divergent to the classical era. Since, neoclassical period required artists adhere to the already predetermined guidelines in all their productions. Conversely, all neoclassicism novelties entailed counteracting former esteemed techniques (Baroque and classical) especially in architectural designs. Neoclassicists emerged with already set proportions meant to give exact perspective of their works, which in most cases assumed the aspect of symmetry. These advancements yielded to standardized and ideal artworks, which were divergent to the former periods. Sociological framework Neoclassicists owing to their knowledge and expertise, they esteemed themselves highly in the society together with their readers (The Millwall History Files). Therefore, the entire society and especially those who wanted recognition had to conform to their ways. Since, their precepts were viable and aligned well with time than the former ones, which faded soon after their invention. The precepts entailed people to copy and comply exactly with them especially in artwork production; hence, the artists did not have any freedom to convey their feelings through their creativity (Bietoletti 163). Consequently, this prompted numerous artists to prefer impressionism at its inception because they were free to express themselves via their works by being creative or imaginative. Impressionism accommodated an individual’s imaginative prowess in communication with the viewers (Peterson). Since, the painter only manipulated paint and brush to produce an engaging artwork, which will arouse viewers’ interests. Besides, this era marked the onset of women recognition as full artists whereby some relied on art for their livelihoods divergent to the past Neoclassical and other periods. Religious advances/beliefs The liberation that flourished during Impressionism era did not contribute to any religious advances (Gunderson 17). Since, the young artists focused on expounding the connection between nature and mind or artwork and its viewer via manipulating colors. Hence, Impressionism era did not have strict guidelines that would enhance religion, which is evident currently. Similarly, neoclassicism did not enhance the spread or development of religion since it was against its past periods’ excesses, for instance, baroque (Bietoletti 8). Conclusion Neoclassical and impressionism represent diverse periods through which art has evolved to the present. The latter era embodies young artists who intensively used paint, and brush to convey their message through artwork after defying strict principles set by former periods. Neoclassical represented era where artists strictly adhered to the already set principles in producing their works, for illustration, architecture (Bietoletti 15). However, the period did not persist for long due to the then upcoming generations who demanded freedom to express their ideas especially in France who yielded to launching their movement (impressionism) (Bietoletti 8). This is similar to the neoclassical pioneers who defied former art movements, for instance, baroque. Work Cited "Impressionism: Paint And Politics." Contemporary Review 286.1669 (2005): 121. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. Bietoletti, Silvestre. Neoclassicism & Romanticism. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2009. Print. Brown, Jack Perry. "Paris In The Age Of Impressionism (Book)." Library Journal 127.19 (2002): 66. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. Gunderson, Jessica. Impressionism. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 2009. Print. Peterson, Walt. French Post Impressionism 1890 – 1905. May 2003. Web. 24Th November 2012. The Millwall History Files. Introductory Lecture on the Neoclassical Period in English Literature. 1999. Web. 24Th November 2012. Read More