Art Unit 5 W.A. Word
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of the People *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1401
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by DeaconFieldMagpie39
1
Neoclassicism and Romanticism during the French Revolution
Department of Humanities, University of the People
AHIST 1401: Art History
Dr. Julie Lawrence
July 20, 2022
2
Introduction
In this paper, I will explain how the French Revolution impacted
Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Then I will summarize my findings in a
conclusion.
Neoclassicism during the French Revolution
Neoclassicism played a big role in the French Revolution, as one of the
most popular artists,
Jacques-Louis David
, supported the political movement.
After the royal family was taken, he even became part of the new
parliament. David was also an open admirer of Napoleon, of whom he
painted many battle scenes.
Partly because of his big influence on art as well as politics,
Neoclassicism became the main art style of France and its influential people
(About France, n.d.).. Another big part of the connection between
Neoclassicism and the French Revolution plays the Enlightenment, which was
the time of scientific change and the people rethinking traditions.
Enlightenment was the attempt to teach society right from wrong, which
plays a big role in the overthrowing of the monarchy (Khan Academy, n.d.).
The example I chose for Neoclassicism is a painting by Jacques-Louis
David called "Napoleon crossing the Alps." It shows the Emperor on his
horse, a battlefield in the background. Napoleon Bonaparte looks ready for
battle, as he points onward and looks at the beholder as if to lead us. I think
3
paintings like these were 18th-century propaganda, as Napoleon wanted
people to follow him.
This painting was made in 1802, two years before his
reign began (History, 2019).
Romanticism during the French Revolution
Romanticism was more applied to literature and music prior to
Napoleon's defeat. The revolution in both Europe and America influenced lots
of those works. After the disaster at Waterloo in 1815, Romanticism started
establishing itself as a painting style. From the 1820s until the 1850s,
Neoclassicism and Romanticism were two competing styles, whereas
Romanticism was practiced by so-called innovators. Their counterparts were
the established, classical artists and their supporters (McCoy, n.d.).
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
As an example of Romanticism, I want to name the painting "Fighting at the
hotel De Ville" (1830) by Jean-Victor Schnetz. It shows the victory of the
revolution in Paris which led to a new political era. The painting is dramatic,
but focuses on the positive as the man in focus holds up the French flag and
supports a wounded person with his other arm. Even though the scene is
brutal, the brushstrokes and colors are soft as if to dull the hostility the
subjects just went through to win the fight. A parade of victory is starting in
the background on the right with a boy playing the drums and leading the
crowd into the center of the painting (
Monticello Digital Classroom
, n.d.).
Conclusion
Even though at first glance Neoclassicism has a bigger connection to
5
the French Revolution because Napoleon favored the style and propagated
himself through neoclassical paintings, Romanticism was highly impacted by
the revolution as well. Many artists found inspiration through current events
at the time and the rebellion against the monarchy. The constant fight of the
French people against being suppressed any longer by the aristocracy kept
both Neoclassicism and Romanticism alive and displayed important historical
events through either the logical, correct neoclassical style or the personal
and very emotional way of expression of Romanticism.
6
References
About France. (n.d.).
The revolutionary age in French art.
https://about-
france.com/art/neoclassicism-romanticism.htm
History (2019).
Napoleon Bonaparte
.
https://www.history.com/topics/france/napoleon
Khan Academy. (n.d.).
A beginner's guide to the Age of
Enlightenment.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/rococo-
neoclassicism/rococo/a/a-beginners-guide-to-the-age-of-enlightenment
McCoy, C. B. (n.d.)
Romanticism in France
.
Smarthistory.
https://smarthistory.org/romanticism-in-france/
Monticello Digital Classroom. (n.d.).
Fighting at the Hotel de Ville
.
https://classroom.monticello.org/media-item/fighting-at-the-hotel-de-ville/
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help