The Final Word on the History of Art

The Final Word On the History of Art

Neoclassical, Romanticism, Realism

Introduction

These three major periods each have very distinct differences, yet each is a reaction to the previous. These three art periods take place from the mid 1700's to the late 1800's.

The realism movement was against the Romanticism period, the Romanticism period was contra Ð'- Neoclassical, and the Neoclassical was a reaction against Baroque and Rococo styles. All these time periods are reactions which have now developed into modern art.

Neoclassical

The Neoclassical period was full of many events which led to this influence in art. In 1688 there was the glorious revolution in Britain, democracy was established. On and off wars between France and Britain were constantly taking place. In Britain, there were disputes between the Whigs and Tories, in 1714 the tories, who were pro for ending the war won, and the war with France was settled. Later led the Industrial revolution which made great changes, following which in 1789 a French revolution took place. The pope had a lot of power, and strongly believed in hierarchy.

Architecture began taking on new shapes. More and more Greek elements were showing, a return to a more classical look. Engravings, mosaics, and pottery were very popular and were being made by more and more artists. Columns were returning their Greek look to buildings, as were Hellenistic sculptures.

This movement began as a reaction to the previous reigning style, which was Baroque and Rococo which had pastel colours and haziness. Neoclassic was a return to purity of the arts in Rome, a return to 16th century renaissance classicism. This meant sharp colours (Chiaroscuro), friezes and frescos. The subject matter came from classical history and mythology. The second wave of Neoclassic really hit when the Napoleonic Empire took power.

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