ART-Discussion Forum Unit 5
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Northern Virginia Community College *
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Arts Humanities
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Jan 9, 2024
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Art that Communicates
Governments and organisations frequently commissioned and hired Romantic and Neoclassical artists to
spread propaganda to the general populace. While Romantic arts frequently emphasize a specific
character or an idea and charge them with emotions to transmit their messages to the public,
Neoclassical arts, like "the Oath of Horatti," typically promote virtues and principles. Since they elicit
stronger emotions from the general public than Neoclassical arts do, I think Romantic arts are superior at
communicating a message. Most likely, the crowd had more dramatic and powerful energy, which would
have left longer-lasting impressions.
Both Neoclassical and Romantic art were used as ways for governments, institutions and individuals to
convey their messages.
Which of these two styles do you think is better at getting a message across?
How is that style effective?
What characteristics help the viewer understand the intent of the image?
One of these paintings, "Napoleon Bonaparte Visiting the Plague-Struck in Jaffa" by Gros, was used as
propaganda to sway the people. Napoleon recognized the enormous potential in using the arts to
present himself to the public as a savior, much like some of the Roman emperors had done in the past.
Napoleon is depicted in this artwork as a Christ-like figure, as evidenced by his erect posture and the
bolder color choices used surrounding him. He is seen visiting his devoted subjects in a foreign makeshift
hospital where death and plague are common (Harris & Zuker, n. d.).
The picture did a good job of portraying Napoleon as the beloved savior in a number of ways, according
to Harris and Zuker (n. d.). First, he adopts stances from traditional Greek art, which exudes assurance
and compassion even in a remote and alien location. Second, in stark contrast to his companions, he was
displaying no signs of terror in the face of death and plague. Finally, when they gazed at Napoleon in this
horrible location, the faces of those sick troops shone with delight and optimism. All of these features of
the image clearly imply that Napoleon was the compassionate, self-assured messiah who deserved our
allegiance and adoration.
References:
Khan Academy. (n.d.).
Gros, Napoleon Bonaparte Visiting the plague-stricken in Jaffa (video)
.
Khan Academy. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/becoming-modern/romanticism/romanticism-in-
france/v/gros-napoleon-bonaparte-visiting-the-pest-house-in-jaffa-1804
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