M4P3 - The Enlightenment to Manet

The Enlightenment to Manet

Neoclassicism

• Result of the Enlightenment: renewed interest in Classical past (Greece and Rome).

• Unlike the Renaissance, which combined Greco-Roman ideals with Christian values, the Enlightenment rejected the idea of God.

• Enlightenment thinkers focused on man as all-knowing and self-sufficient, seeking answers through reason and science.

• Distrust of the Church and governments arose from their abuses, leading Enlightenment thinkers to advocate for a removal of these institutions in search of true freedom.

• This shift impacted the role and purpose of art in culture significantly.

Neoclassical Art – Late 1700s

• Driven by Enlightenment ideas, Europeans sought new artistic principles.

• Archaeological excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii revived ancient Roman ideals of virtue and honor.

• Angelica Kauffmann's "Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures" symbolizes that the true treasures are one's children, emphasizing virtue over material wealth.

• Neoclassical art is characterized by clarity, rationalism, and an absence of Christian themes unlike the Rococo genre.

Key Works and Artists

• Angelica Kauffmann, "Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures," ca. 1785• Oil on canvas, 3' 4" x 4' 2"• Illustrates moral virtue through Cornelia's choice to present her children as her treasures.

• Jacques-Louis David, "Oath of the Horatii," 1784• Oil on canvas, approx. 11' x 14'• Depicts themes of loyalty to the state over family, resonating with Enlightenment rationalism.

• Jacques-Louis David, "The Death of Marat," 1793• Memorial to revolutionary martyr Jean Marat, blending Christian symbolism with current events.• Reflects on martyrdom and revolutionary themes in a similar vein to Christian art.

• Jacques-Louis David, "The Coronation of Napoleon," 1805-1808• Massive painting depicting Napoleon's rise with art manipulated to enhance his image.

Bridge to Romanticism

• Transition from Neoclassical severity to Romantic emotional expression.

• Romanticism focuses on feelings and current events rather than religious themes.

Romanticism in Art

• Théodore Géricault, "Raft of the Medusa," 1818-1819• Addresses government incompetence; conveys raw emotion and realism of a tragic event.

• Francisco Goya, "The Third of May 1808," 1814• Depicts the horror of war against the backdrop of religious themes; showcases intense emotional response.

• Goya critiques Enlightenment ideals by questioning the loss of tradition and the consequences of pure reason.

The Role of Photography

• Emergence of photography in the early 1800s combined optical and chemical processes, leading to the future of visual arts.

• Photography's ability to capture reality challenges traditional painting, leading to experiments with light and composition.

Édouard Manet's Impact on Modern Art

• Manet serves as a bridge between Realism and Impressionism, impacting conceptual approaches to art.

• Manet, "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe," 1863• Challenges traditional notions of art with a modern commentary on society and class.

• With "Olympia," he confronts traditional representations by presenting a nude with a direct gaze, challenging societal norms.

• Manet's works prompt viewers to engage with the realities of modernity, reflecting cultural changes.

Conclusion: A Shift Towards Modernism

• Art becomes a commentary on culture rather than a mere reflection of it; artists adopt the role of cultural critics.

• Movement towards Modernism emerges as artists begin to reject past traditions, aimed at innovation and breaking ground in art.