Neo-Classicism Art

In 1789, France was on the brink of its first revolution and the Neoclassicists wanted to express a rationality and seriousness that was fitting for their time. Neo-Classicism began in  the Mid-18th Century to Early-19th Century. Neoclassicists looked back to the French painter Nicolas Poussin for their inspiration. Neo-classicism was a child of the Age of Reason, when philosophers believed that we would be able to control our destinies by learning from and following the laws of nature. Therefore, Neoclassicism continued the connection to the Classical tradition; and “neo” means “new,” or in the case of art, an existing style reiterated with a new twist. A few neo-classicist artists were Jean- Francois de Troy, Giovanni Paolo Pannini, Jacques-Louis David and Jean Restate. The Neo-classicists, such as Jacques-Louis David, preferred the well-delineated form—clear drawing and modelling (shading). Drawing was considered more important than painting. The Neoclassical surface had to look perfectly smooth—no evidence of brush-strokes should be discernible to the naked eye. Artists like David supported the rebels through an art that asked for clear-headed thinking, self-sacrifice to the State and an austerity reminiscent of Republican Rome. Neoclassicism is characterized by clarity of form, sober colours, shallow space, strong horizontal and verticals that render that subject matter timeless.

Jacques-Louis David, 1784 (salon of 1785) oil on canvas

                        

Short Answer:

1. What was the Neoclassicism techniques of painting?

The Neoclassical surface had to look perfectly smooth—no evidence of brush-strokes should be discernible to the naked     eye. Drawing was considered more important than painting.

Multiple Choice:

1. Which Neoclassicist supported the rebels through an art that asked for clear-headed thinking and self-sacrifice to the State?

a) Giovanni Paolo Pannini

b) Jean- Francois de Troy

c) Jacques-Louis David

d) Jean Restate

Works Cited:

"Artists by Movement: Neoclassical Art." Artcyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/neoclassicism.html>. 

"Neoclassicism, an Introduction." KhanAcademy. KhanAcademy, 2016. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. <https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/neo-classicism/a/neoclassicism-an-introduction>.