Journal #1: 02/23/2009Journal #1: 02/23/2009Why Study Art? Why Study Why Study Art? Why Study

History?History?• List three reasons why someone List three reasons why someone

might choose to study the arts might choose to study the arts (dance, music, visual art, theatre, (dance, music, visual art, theatre, etc)etc)

• List three reasons why someone List three reasons why someone might choose to study history. might choose to study history.

• Explain: What do you hope to gain Explain: What do you hope to gain from this course? (aside from a from this course? (aside from a grade) What do you want to learn?grade) What do you want to learn?

Origins of Neoclassical ArtOrigins of Neoclassical Art

By Vanessa MoldenBy Vanessa Molden

Western High SchoolWestern High School

What is Neoclassicism?What is Neoclassicism?

The Neoclassical period lasted from The Neoclassical period lasted from the mid 1700’s through to the early the mid 1700’s through to the early 1800’s. 1800’s.

Characterized by: Characterized by: Revival of antique styles (specifically ancient Revival of antique styles (specifically ancient

Greek and Roman) in art and architecture. Greek and Roman) in art and architecture. Rebellion against the surviving Baroque and Rebellion against the surviving Baroque and

Rococo styles (which were popular in Europe Rococo styles (which were popular in Europe immediately before this time).immediately before this time).

Neoclassicism is Linked to Neoclassicism is Linked to Political Events (HISTORY)Political Events (HISTORY)

Revolutions established republics in Revolutions established republics in France (1789-99) and in America (1775-France (1789-99) and in America (1775-83). [Neo-Classicism was adopted as 83). [Neo-Classicism was adopted as the official art style].the official art style].

Association with the democracy of Association with the democracy of Greece and the republicanism of Rome.Greece and the republicanism of Rome.

Napoleon used the style for Napoleon used the style for propaganda.propaganda.

Why Did People Become Why Did People Become Interested in Returning to the Interested in Returning to the Styles of Ancient Greece and Styles of Ancient Greece and

Rome?Rome?1.1. Excavations of the Ruins of Excavations of the Ruins of

Italian CitiesItalian Cities2.2. Publication of Books on AntiquityPublication of Books on Antiquity3.3. Arrival of the Elgin MarblesArrival of the Elgin Marbles4.4. Johann Winckelmann’s Artists Johann Winckelmann’s Artists

CircleCircle

All of these things INFLUENCED the All of these things INFLUENCED the artists of the Neoclassical period. artists of the Neoclassical period.

1. Excavations of the Ruins 1. Excavations of the Ruins of Italian Citiesof Italian Cities

1. Excavations of the Ruins 1. Excavations of the Ruins of Italian Citiesof Italian Cities

Herculaneum in 1738.

Pompeii in 1748.

2. Publication of Books on 2. Publication of Books on AntiquityAntiquity

2. Publication of Books on 2. Publication of Books on AntiquityAntiquity

James Stuart & Nicholas Revertpublish Antiquities in Athens: 1762-1816.

3. Arrival of the Elgin 3. Arrival of the Elgin MarblesMarbles

3. Arrival of the Elgin 3. Arrival of the Elgin MarblesMarbles

Thomas Bruce,7th Lord of ElginBritish Museum,

1806

From the top façade of the Parthenon in Athens.

4. Johann Winckelmann’s 4. Johann Winckelmann’s Artists CircleArtists Circle

4. Johann Winckelmann’s 4. Johann Winckelmann’s Artists CircleArtists Circle

German art historian.

$ Artists should “imitate” the timeless, ideal forms of the classical world.

$ A circle of international artists gathered about him in the 1760s in Rome.

Major Characteristics of Major Characteristics of NeoclassicismNeoclassicism

• Return to the perceived “purity” of the arts Return to the perceived “purity” of the arts of Rome.of Rome.

• Model the “ideal” of the ancient Greek arts Model the “ideal” of the ancient Greek arts and, to a lesser, extent, 16c Renaissance and, to a lesser, extent, 16c Renaissance classicism.classicism.

• A belief that there is a permanent, universal A belief that there is a permanent, universal way things are (and should be), which way things are (and should be), which obviously entails fundamental political and obviously entails fundamental political and ethical commitments.ethical commitments.

• Sometimes considered anti-modern or even Sometimes considered anti-modern or even reactionary.reactionary.

Word Work- Neoclassical Word Work- Neoclassical Period Period

Use your textbook to locate and define the Use your textbook to locate and define the following vocabulary associated with the following vocabulary associated with the Neoclassical period, then use each word Neoclassical period, then use each word in a sentence. (Do this in your notebook)in a sentence. (Do this in your notebook)

1.1. SatireSatire

2.2. PropagandaPropaganda

3.3. ConcertoConcerto

4.4. Concerto GrossoConcerto Grosso

5.5. CodaCoda