Art Movements from the 18th to the 19th Century

Overview of Art Movements (1700-1870)

  • Focus on artistic developments from the 18th to the 19th century, specifically in France.
  • Key chapters in the textbook: 26 and 27.

The Eighteenth Century: The Age of Absolutism

  • Louis XIV (The Sun King)
    • Ruled France until 1715, established a centralized state.
    • Used art as propaganda to reflect his ideals of good governance.
    • Maintained the court at Versailles to watch over aristocrats due to previous rebellions.
  • Transition to Louis XV
    • Following Louis XIV's death, the French elite abandoned Versailles for the pleasures of Paris.
    • Louis XV's disinterest in governance and art changed the dynamics of art patronage.
    • Aristocrats became primary patrons, fostering a new style: Rococo.

Rococo Style

  • Characteristics of Rococo:
    • Focused on themes of pleasure, sensuality, and not serious subject matter.
    • Example of The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard:
    • Features a woman on a swing, sensual undertones and playful interaction.
    • Lush colors and light typical of Rococo painting.
  • Interior Design:
    • Emphasized excessive ornamentation; private homes of aristocrats characterized Rococo architecture.
    • Example of Hotel Particulier interiors with lavish decorations.

Shifts in Art and Ideals

  • Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture established under Louis XIV focused on classical ideals.
  • Under Louis XV, there was a shift towards Rubinism emphasizing vibrant color and emotion over strict classical forms.
  • Contrasting Doctrines:
    • Poussin (form) vs. Rubens (color): Different approaches to painting.

Neoclassicism Emergence (Late 18th Century)

  • Response to Rococo: Neoclassicism emphasized reason and moral lessons, often drawing from Greco-Roman ideals.
  • Jacques-Louis David as a leading Neoclassical painter:
    • Oath of the Horatii: Depicts Roman civic virtue and sacrifice, contrasting Rococo's frivolity.
  • Emphasis on:
    • Geometry, austerity, and moral narratives in Neoclassical art.

The Enlightenment Influence

  • Enlightenment ideals fostered critical thinking about governance and society.
  • Challenged the existing social order and led to revolutionary thoughts, culminating in the French Revolution.
  • The rise of the middle class shifted art's focus from aristocratic to public and contemporary subjects.

Romanticism (Mid 19th Century)

  • Opposition to Neoclassicism: Romanticism celebrated emotion, imagination, and the sublime.
  • Characteristics:
    • Depicts intense feelings and dramatic subjects, often portraying the tumult of human experience.
  • Examples Include:
    • Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix: Represents an allegory of freedom during the July Revolution of 1830, emphasizing chaotic energy and democratic ideals.

Realism (Mid to Late 19th Century)

  • Emerged in response to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution and societal shifts.
  • Focused on ordinary life, working-class experience, and depicted subjects without romanticization.
  • Gustave Courbet's Funeral at Ornans showcases the mundane realities of life and death, differing from traditional heroic narratives.

Photography's Impact on Art

  • Invention of photography (1839) revolutionized how art captured reality and influenced artistic practices.
  • Early photographers like Julia Margaret Cameron emphasized artistic expression through soft focus and lighting techniques.
  • Photography's documentary potential laid the groundwork for modern visual storytelling.

Conclusion

  • Art movements transitioned from private patronage to public expression reflecting societal changes during the Enlightenment and beyond.
  • Definitions of beauty and artistic value evolved significantly, paving the way for modern art forms to emerge in the late 19th century.