Neoclassicism ca. 1750 - 1820

Table of Contents French Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The theories of the Enlightenment came to fruition in political and social revolutions around the world ( America in 1776 and France in 1789) Napoleon came to power in 1799 as “first consul” after the French Revolution and mass murder of members of the aristocracy Patterned the French nation after Rome Declared himself emperor in 1804 and ruled as monarch until 1814 Died in exile in 1821 The French brought back the monarchy in 1814 Utilized the power of art and architecture to influence the populace and perpetuate his political motives This pass is associated with the Roman general Hannibal and the first Christian Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne David, Napoleon Enthroned ------------------ Napoleon as omnipotent and god-like Table of Contents

Table of Contents Jean-Francois Chalgrain, Arc de Triomphe ------ Revival of Greek and Roman forms The classical ideals of heroism, self-sacrifice, and stoic resolve were renewed to give form to new social and governmental systems Neoclassical art and architecture was often derived from specific antique models and was archeologically accurate In 1748, excavations began at the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum In 1764, the first history book, History of Ancient Art, was published by Johann-Joachim Winkelmann and it extols the “noble simplicity” and “quiet grandeur” of ancient art Unlike the Renaissance which had supporters from an elite group of scholars and artists, Neoclassicism was a popular movement with all people Paris became the new Rome Copies a Roman triumphal arch Table of Contents

Table of Contents David, Oath of the Horatii --------- Rather than imitate specific antique paintings (of which there were few), Neoclassical painting reflects the ideals of the movement: order, symmetry, linearity, clear, centralized composition, and antique subject matter devoted to high ideals Depicts men of the Horatii family pledging their lives to the State Subject comes from the contemporary play by Corneille inspired by ancient history Composed in “threes” and triangles Uses color sparingly David, Death of Socrates ----------- Depicts the ancient philosopher Socrates, who swallowed poison knowingly Communicates the ultimate self-sacrifice for the common good Angelica Kaufmann, Cornelia ------------- Kaufmann was a Swiss painter Depicts and ancient Roman matriarch who valued motherhood over material possessions Table of Contents

Table of Contents America John Singleton Copley, Portrait of Paul Revere --------- Self-trained artist, who returned to England after the Revolution, where he became known as a history painter Represents the hero of the Revolution as a working man Copley, Watson and the Shark -------------------------------------------- Depicts an actual event that took place in the Caribbean in 1749 Uses and antique sculpture as a model Composed in “threes” and triangles Thomas Jefferson, Rotunda ------------------- Third president of the U.S. and founder of the University of Virginia Traveled extensively in Europe and designed his own home and the university campus in the Neoclassical style Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome Table of Contents

Map of Europe

Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass, ca.1800, oil on canvas

Napoleon Enthroned Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Napoleon Enthroned, 1806, oil on canvas

Arc de Triomphe Jean-François Thérèse Chalgrin and others, Arc de Triomphe, 1806-1836, Paris

David, The Oath of the Horatii, 1784, oil on canvas

David, The Death of Socrates, 1787, oil on canvas

Cornelia Presenting Her Children Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Presenting her Children, 1785, oil on canvas

Portrait of Paul Revere John Singleton Copley, Portrait of Paul Revere, 1770, oil on canvas

Copley, Watson and the Shark, 1778, oil on canvas

University of Virginia Rotunda Thomas Jefferson, Rotunda, 1819-1826, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Neoclassicism the revival of a classical style or treatment in art, literature, architecture, or music; originated in Rome in the mid-eighteenth century, combining a reaction against the late Baroque and Rococo with a new interest in antiquity.