Review Notes, 2-column
Neoclassicism
| Neoclassicism | • 19th century (1800s) • Church lost its grip • Kings overthrown • Scientific progress • Capitalism • Democracies • One of 3 art movements in 1st half of century (others--Romanticism, Realism) • A revival of Greco-Roman ideals • Neo=new |
| Characteristics | • A reaction against ornate Rococo style; reason and logic ruled • “Politically correct” art; illustrated tales from ancient history & mythology; balanced compositions • Moral message; Noble gestures (courage, sacrifice, love of country) |
| Primitifs | David followers who took the Greek way, literally |
| Apprentice | Working under a master while learning a trade |
| Salon | Yearly art exhibitions by the Academies of Art |
| Pompeii | Mt. Vesuvius |
| Destroyed August 24, 79AD | |
| Pliny the Younger (written account) | |
| “Rediscovered “ 1738 (Herculanium) and 1748 (Pompeii) | |
| pyroclastic lava flow | describes sedimentary rock that is composed of fragments of volcanic rock produced by the explosion of a volcanic eruption |
| “Oath of the Horatii” (David) | Commissioned by Louis 16th |
| True story (David saw the play) | |
| 3 Roman brothers take an oath to fightVS. 3 Curatii brothers To settle city dispute (fight) | |
| Meaning: patriotic duty above personal interests (even family) | |
| One daughter betrothed to Curatii brotherDaughter-in-law IS Curatii (someone will lose a person they love) | |
| “Death of Marat” (David) | Marat—close friend of DavidHad been responsible for prison riot |
| Charlotte Corday d’Armont decided Marat should die | |
| Marat took medicated baths due to skin conditionCharlotte killed him after posing as informant | |
| Jacobin party commissioned David to capture his storyShown as a “Jesus” figure | |
| Box, towel, knife worshiped by public as holy relics | |
| “Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard,” (David) 1801 | Military successes as commander of French forces in ItalySat for portrait but left after 3 hours |
| Commemorated Napolean’s return to Italy after he was declared dictator | |
| Showed uneventful trip as a thrilling ideal manner | |
| Rocks incised with his name & names of other “heroes” (Hannibal, Charlemagne) | |
| Napolean towers over other figures even though he was small | |
| American Neoclassicism | Founding of American coincided w/Neoclassical period |
| Roman symbols/words adopted (Capitol, Senate) | |
| Thomas Jefferson | Patterned home as Neoclassic structureBuilt Univ. of Virginia as Classic learning lab |
| Gilbert Stuart | America’s “great” painterHe was the equivalent of court painter in America |
| “George Washington” | 1796Most famous American portrait of all time |
| Kept duplicating it, but never finished it | |
| Called it his “100 dollar bill” | |
| Family owners sold it to Smithsonian in 1990s |