Neo-Classicism

Neo-Classicism is:

A revival of the styles and spirit of classic antiquity.

Inspired by the classical period of Greek Art . A reaction to the excesses of Rocco art. Aimed at achieving "noble simplicity and

calm grandeur“. Johann Joachim Winckelmann.

Neo-Classicism

Refers to Painting, sculpture and Architecture as well as writing and music.

The “Grand Tour” and fashion for collecting ‘antiquities’ helped spread the revival of Classical Art throughout Europe.

Influence on Architecture.

Important artists

Jacques–Louis David (1748-1825)

Jean Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

Antonio Canova (1757-1822)

Jacques–Louis David (1748-1825)

David trained in the studio of Boucher. Won the Prix de Rome and studied in Italy for

5 years After the French revolution became a

politician with control of much government patronage in art.

He had to leave France for exile in Brussels at the restoration of the monarchy in France.

The Oath of the Horatii 1784Jacques-Louis David

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The Oath of the Horatii 1784

Three Horatii brothers are given swords by their father.

They swear an oath to fight until they die for their country.

One of the Horatii sisters (pictured on the right) is married to one of the enemy (the Curiatii).

One brother survives and returns home. He is condemned by his sister for killing her husband and the father of her children.

Subject matter

The surviving brother kills his sister because she puts herself and her family before the good of her country.

The idea here is that one must be willing to sacrifice—even sacrifice one's life and family members—for the state.

This idea was very influential on the French revolutionaries of 1789.

Features of the painting

Influence of geometry. Linear perspective. Three arches frame the three sets of figures. The triple screen of Doric columns and

arches. Muted colours Symmetry

The angle of the light heightens the muscularity of the male figures.

The light, which enters the room from the upper left, sharply defines mass and volume.

There is an influence of Caravaggio in the physical qualities of the male bodies

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The Death of Marat

Marat, a leader of the Revolution, was stabbed by a young woman called Charlotte Corday while he was in the bath.

David paints him in a dignified manner. Marat is dying, head weighing heavily on

shoulder, eyes drooping. The letter and knife as well as his pen are

included.

The Death of Marat

Clear light coming from the top left hand corner illuminates the face, body and objects.

The light is soft over the features and gets harsher over the letter in his right hand.

The colours are subtle-creams and whites contrast with the green of the blanket and the dark background. The wound is very subtle.

David’s signature is clearly printed on the crate.

Jean Aguste Dominique Ingres

1780-1867 Student of David Simple, linear style Influenced by Raphael Balanced compositions Idealised forms Sensual images

La Grande Odalisque, 1814 Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/grand-odalisque.html

La Grande Odalisque

Painting shows an idealised North African setting.

An odalisque is a harem slave. Peacock fan, large pearls, turban and the

hookah pipe all part of French perception of the “Orient”

Comparisons and contrasts can be made to “Venus of Urbino” by Titian (1538)

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La Grande Odalisque

Contrast between the dark background and the pale skin.

Balanced triangular composition. Her back is unnaturally long-the legs are in a

very strange and uncomfortable position. Languid pose. Face in profile with strong use of light from left

hand side.

Valpincon Bather

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

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Valpincon Bather

Painted in 1808 Appeals to the senses Female nude shown from the back. Full length green curtain on left hand side Nude seated on a bed Wears a turban Angle of right leg very awkward.

Valpincon Bather

Paint applied perfectly smoothly Light coming softly from the top left hand side. Soft curves in background draw the viewers eye

to seated figure. Colours are soft-creams, whites, greys and

greens with pink on turban

Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova was born in Venice in 1757 In 1779 Canova visited Rome for the first time,

and two years later he returned to settle there permanently.

He is regarded as the leading light of Neo-Classical Sculpture.

Despite a job in the Vatican as an Art collector he was no slavish imitator. Instead he wished to emulate the works of Ancient Classical artists.

Technique

The methods he used demanded absolute precision.

Working from numerous preparatory sketches he modelled the form into a life-size clay version.

He then cast a plaster model of this which he marked up with points that were transferred on to the marble block.

Antonio Canova

His assistants would carve the marble into shape.

Only then, for “the last hand”, did Canova raise his chisel, sculpting the form and polishing the marble, using wax, to a fine, glistening finish.

Psyche Revived

by Cupid's Kiss

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

Commissioned in 1787 Exemplifies the Neo-Classical devotion to

love and emotion. It represents the god Cupid in the height of

love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss,

Appeals to the senses of sight and touch.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

Having been recently awakened, Psyche reaches up towards her lover, Cupid, as he gently holds her by supporting her head and breast.

The two lovers appear to be alive as the execution Antonio Canova has done on the marble shows realistic smooth skin, contrasted by the elements surrounding the two figures.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

A sheet loosely draped around Psyche’s lower body, emphasizes the difference between the texture of skin and drapery.

Rough texture provides the basis of the rock upon which the composition is placed.

Fine curls and lines provide the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid.

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

The statue is not meant to be immobile. In fact there is a handle near one of

Psyche’s feet as the statue was meant to revolve rather than remain stationary.

Many of Canova’s sculptures had custom built settings or a device that would move the base, thus the handle provided for some of the movement of the statue

Antonio Canova, Paolina Borghese as Venus Victorious, 1804-08

Paolina Borghese as Venus Victorious

Paolina Borghese was Napoleon Bonaparte's scandalous sister and she chose to be depicted as Venus, the goddess of love.

She is shown lying back on a couch. Canova captures the soft texture of her skin. Her head is slightly raised and in her hand

she holds an apple

Paolina Borghese as Venus Victorious

Her hair, a mass of curls bound in a Psyche knot, serves as a visual connector between old and new, being worn in imitation of ancient Greek styles, as was the fashion of the day.

Its careful arrangement offsets the smooth shallow planes of her torso.

Paolina Borghese as Venus Victorious

The couch Paolina lies on is carved from a different type of marble.

The base part of which is covered in rhythmically flowing drapery, much like on a catafalque (a raised platform used to bear coffins)

In Greek and Roman art the reclining female figure is frequently found on sarcophagus lids.

Acknowledgements

Art Associates Maria Moore

Margaret O’Shea

Local Facilitator TeamAine Andrews

Joe CaslinJane Campbell

Siobhan CampbellNiamh O’Donoghue

Niamh O’NeillKeith O’Rahilly

Sheena McKeonTony MorrisseyMonica White

Many thanks to the following for their invaluable contribution to the European Art History and Appreciation series of workshops and resource materials.

PDST Professional Development Service for Teachers

PDST Professional Development Service for Teachers

The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and

Skills under the National Development Plan 2007 -

2013

Cultural & Environmental Education

Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)Dublin West Education Centre,

Old Blessington Road,Tallaght,Dublin 24

National Co-ordinatorConor Harrison

Mobile: 087 240 5710E-mail: conorharrison@pdst.ie

AdministratorAngie Grogan

Tel: 014528018 Fax: 014528010E-mail: angiegrogan@pdst.ie.