Neo-Classical Art and Romanticism - Essay Example

Neo ical and Romanticism Art Neo icism was a historicist renewal of a primordial style that portrayed social and political climates during a time of transformation. This form of art was more serene and calm contrary to the period of chaos that it was developed in. On the other hand the more dynamic and dramatic art form Romanticism was developed at a time of harmony and tranquility. Neoclassicism was used by those artists who supported the French Revolution.Neoclassicism was generated during the time of ‘Enlightenment’ when people thought of innovative ideas and had evolutionary thoughts.

It started as a response to the more flamboyant Rocco Art and its objective was to recuperate the Greco-Roman cultural values. Europe, Western France and England embodied this art style to express idealism, patriotism, ethics and civic virtue. The popularity of neoclassicism was caused by several happenings of that time such as the reputation of Rome which was growing increasingly and the discovery of old Roman cities by archeologists. This art form depicted and accentuated rationality and tradition.

The first of these were Jacque-Louis David whose work the ‘Oath of the Horatii’ depicted three mythological warriors swearingloyalty to the Roman Republic (David & Dorothy, 87). Some other famous neoclassical pieces include ‘The Death of Marat’ and ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’. Romanticism was a reaction against the time of Enlightenment in the eighteenth century. Contrary to the neoclassical style, this style of art recognized humans as more emotional, complex and not that rational in a new civilization that was more materialistic, scientific and generally more urban.

The famous artist from this period Jean-Jacques Rousseau laid down the basis of Romanticism by liberating the human emotions and showing a freedom of expression and thus challenging the rationality of the Enlightenment. Another popular artist who lead the Romantic Revolution was Eugene Delacroix. His masterpiece ‘Liberty Leading the People’ represented the French Revolution and the heroic splendor along with the ghastly destruction and chaos that was spread. In this generation of the Romantic artists who came after Napoleon and lived under Louis XVIII and Charles X were happy with the ‘petit revolution’ and regretted to have not seen the real grandeur and glory of times under Napoleon.

Under Louis XVIII artists were free to paint whatever they wished and were unbound from Napoleon control. Theodore Gericault showed the incompetence of the new government with his ‘Raft of the Medusa’ in the ‘Salon of 1819’ (Hagen & Rose, 414). Some other famous romantic artists include Casper David Friedrich, J.M.W Turner, John Constable and William Blake. Art plays a significant role in a society. It reveals social, religious and political issues of the period that it was developed in.

These depictions are portrayed through pictorial differences and techniques. The inspiration for neoclassical art was Classical Rome with high morals and seriousness. It had rational and calmer tones and wisdomof the Roman and Greek history. On the other hand Romanticism stemmed from the medieval eras with emphasis on emotion and imagination along with hints of spontaneity and non-traditional views with exotica, violence and legends.ReferencesTop of FormDavid, Jacques L, and Dorothy Johnson. Jacques-louis David: New Perspectives.

Newark [Del.: University of Delaware Press, 2006. Print.Top of FormHagen, Rainer, and Rose-Marie Hagen. What Great Paintings Say. Köln: Taschen, 2003. Print.Bottom of Form