U8 Art

Neoclassicism

A revival of ancient Greek and Roman art styles, focusing on serious themes, sacrifice, and clean lines. (Example: A painting of Roman soldiers swearing an oath)

Romanticism

An art movement focused on intense emotion, imagination, wild nature, and drama over logic. (Example: A dramatic painting of a ship tossing in a massive ocean storm)

Impressionism

An art movement that used visible brushstrokes to capture the fast, changing impression of light and color. (Example: Claude Monet’s paintings of blurry water lilies)

Realism

A movement that rejected drama and painted regular, working-class people exactly as they were. (Example: A painting of exhausted workers breaking rocks)

Rococo

A highly decorative, playful art style popular with French royalty, featuring soft pastels and romantic themes. (Example: A painting of wealthy nobles playing on a swing)

Mural

A large painting applied directly to a wall or ceiling. (Example: A public city wall painted with a giant community scene)

Imperialism

The policy of extending power over other lands, leading artists to paint biased or exoticized views of foreign cultures. (Example: European paintings of life in North Africa)

French Revolution

A period of political upheaval in France that inspired artists to paint heroic scenes of rebellion and freedom. (Example: The painting Liberty Leading the People)

Napoleon Bonaparte

The French military leader who used grand, heroic artworks as propaganda to show off his power. (Example: A painting of Napoleon riding a rearing white horse over the Alps)