NeoclassicismNeoclassicism•“neo” means new – classical• started around the mid 1700’s• a revival of the antiquities•Greek and Roman influences (clothing, architecture)• Mythological figures become common at this time• a movement followed by “Rococo”• a return to knowledge and purity• clean, crisp lines

• Neoclassicism became the leading art movement in France during the French Revolution and subsequently as the style of choice during the rule of dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.

• Inspired by ancient Greece & Rome and the Renaissance.• You will see works with Greek and Roman clothing,

architecture, themes.• Clean lines and crisp edges.• Rejects the excess and frivolity of Baroque and Rococo. • Also became popular in the United States as they were

experiencing their own American Revolution based on similar principles.

Describe the composition? How does the artist arrange figures?How are the women’s hands different from the men?

Jacques-Louis David. Oath of the Horatii. (1784-1785) Oil on canvas.

About the Artist:- Jacques-Louis David worked for King Louis XIV, then during the French Revolution, and later for Napoleon.- He studied classical sculptures in Rome

Technical:- no visible brushstrokes- precise outlines- used Greek and Roman subject matter to reflect contemporary French politics.

Meaning of the Work: -This painting is an allegory meant to inspire French unity & patriotism.-David depicts the moment in which the three Horatii Brothers (Roman) swear before their father an allegiance to the state – they are saying, “we are ready to die”.Moral dilemma:

Ingres. Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne. (1806)

Technical:- Clean, crisp lines

Purpose of the work:- Napoleon, when he became ruler of France, continued to use the symbolism of the Neoclassical style as a propaganda tool.• Napoleon made himself an Emperor in the tradition of ancient Rome….

• What message do you think Napoleon was trying to convey?

Antonio Canova. Paolina Borghese as Venus Victrix. (1805-1808) Marble.

About the Work:

- portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister, commissioned on the occasion of her marriage to Camillo Borghese of Rome

- Life-sized reclining, semi-nude portrait of Paolina as the goddess Venus

Technical:

- ancient sculptural tradition: showing contemporary people in the guise of gods/goddesses

- might be a neoclassical idealized female form or may be an accurate portrait of her

Thomas Jefferson. Monticello. (1770-1784)

•What architectural features do you recognize?

•Change in architecture back to “simplicity and balance”

• Also a trend in the United States, as can be seen in Thomas Jefferson’s home

• Influenced by Italian Renaissance architect Palladio…

• What “classical” (ie. Greek and Roman) features can be seen here?

Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Pantheon. (1758-1789)

• inspired by the ancient Roman Pantheon in Rome and Bramante’s Tempietto

• Greek cross plan

• meant to be light and bright like a Gothic cathedral but combined with classical principles.

• finished in the year of the French Revolution and came to be used as a burying place for great frenchmen (as ordered by the government) instead of a church for St. Genvieve as originally planned – has changed back and forth from church to secular building twice since then.

• sight of Foucault’s Pendulum experiment

Jacques-Louis David. Jacques-Louis David. Death of MaratDeath of Marat. . (1793) Oil on canvas.(1793) Oil on canvas.

• Marat was a friend of David’s and, like the artist, was pro Revolution (voted for beheading King Louis XVI)

• Marat was a radical journalist and revolutionary philosopher and was murdered because of his beliefs

• The painting is meant to honour and memorialize him

• What other art work(s) does Marat’s pose remind you of?