The Classical Era
Art and Revolution During The Neoclassical Period
Intro
"Classical art, or Classicism, refers to artwork that draws inspiration from ancient Roman or ancient Greek culture, architecture, literature, and art. Classicism was most popular in Western art during the Renaissance period and often depicted scenes from mythology through painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Classicism informs much of the subject matter depicted in history painting". During this era, many things changed. Art was looked at in a way that it had never been seen before. Many artists were making their mark throughout this period. "Throughout 1770 and 1820 drawings reflected social, political, and intellectual upheaval in the late 18th century." For that reason, many pieces of artwork based on the revolution can be found. Let's look at some paintings that tie into revolution and art.
James Peale and the Battle of Princeton
James Peale was a neoclassical artist. In this piece, we can see that there is a war going on. "James Peale’s painting depicts the critical moment when Washington rode onto the battlefield and rallied the militia, which had been retreating before British attacks."There are dead people on the floor and people fighting each other. Men are on their horses with their weapons in their hands. There are also some men firing their weapons in a group. This occurred during the American Revolution in 1777. George Washington and his men attacked the opposing side and ultimately won. "After crossing the Delaware on December 25, 1776, George Washington embarked on a ten day campaign that would change the course of the war. Culminating at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, Washington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and proved his amateur army could defeat the British." This ties art to revolution because this art piece is based on a very significant moment during the American Revolution. This piece relates to neoclassicism and it can be seen through the colors. The colors are not vibrant and the painting tells a story about an event that occurred during the American Revolution. I would not want a copy of this art piece because I am not really into history. I feel like individuals who like history are primarily intrigued by this painting.
The Death of General Wolfe
“Death of General Wolfe” by Benjamin West depicts the death of British General James Wolfe at the 1759 Battle of Quebec during the French and Indian War. "This painting captures a pivotal event in the Seven Years’ War that decided the fate of France’s colonies in North America. General Wolfe commanded the British Army and successfully held the British line against the French and won the battle. Unfortunately, General Wolfe was killed by musket wounds. In death, General Wolfe gained fame as a national hero and became an icon of the Seven Years’ War and British dominance in North America." The events behind this painting occurred during the neoclassic period. The Death of General Wolfe was a neoclassical painting and you can tell by the colors and the drama. By drama, I mean the events that led up to the occasion because it is telling a story during the classical era. In the painting, individuals are running to the wounded man attempting to offer their help. I would not like to own this painting because it depicts such a sad moment, I prefer paintings that make me feel good and light in spirit. This painting was created during the neoclassicist era. "West took up the newly forming neoclassical style and painted several large-scale history paintings that were wildly popular with the public." One of these paintings being the one discussed. This neoclassicist style allowed people to see history in an art piece.
The Death of Socrates Jacques Louis David
"In this landmark of Neoclassical painting from the years immediately preceding the French Revolution...The Greek philosopher Socrates (469–399 B.C.) was convicted of impiety by the Athenian courts; rather than renounce his beliefs, he died willingly, discoursing on the immortality of the soul before drinking poisonous hemlock."This painting does a great job of illustrating the sadness and despair in the faces of these men. Through body language and the appearance of emotion on these men's faces, we can see how deeply his death affected them. "This painting portrayed the classical theme of the ‘trial and execution of Socrates’ with an underlying message of resistance against France’s unfair ruling authority during those times." I would not own this painting because of the negative connotation that this painting portrays. I wouldn't want to hang up a painting about death in my home because it just doesn't sit right with me. None of these art pieces is my type but I can appreciate the beauty along with the history in them.
Citations
“James Peale and the Battle of Princeton | Princeton University Art Museum.” Princeton University
“Princeton.” American Battlefield Trust
Meleca, Amy. “Amy Meleca, M.A.” Artlex,
“A Revolutionary Age: Drawing in Europe, 1770–1820.” A Revolutionary Age (Getty Exhibitions)
“10 Facts about the Battle of Princeton.” George Washington's Mount Vernon
“‘Death of General Wolfe’ by Benjamin West.” Joy of Museums Virtual Tours, 22 July 2020
“Benjamin West Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story
“The Death of Socrates.” Metmuseum.org
Kirti, Kamna. “Reading the Painting - 'the Death of Socrates'.” Medium, The Collector, 7 Feb. 2021
Classicalism often focused on maccob, violent, and sad subject matters. I wonder why that is. But, if I had to guess I think that I'd say that it reflected the over all feel of the Classical Era. The upper class was being criticized (and this time they had to face had actual concequences,) and the middle/merchant class had just had enough. A sense of commradery is felt in all of these paintings and I think that commradery during this time period is what brought people together in order to invoke change and reform.
ReplyDeleteHello Kadeline,
ReplyDeleteI liked the pieces of art that you shared in your blog. I would have to agree with you, that I would not want to own a copy of “The Death of General Wolfe” or “The Death of Socrates” because they are paintings about people dying, who I have not heard much of. On the other hand, though, I would like to own a copy of “The Battle of Princeton”, since it is a depiction of a battle that George Washington and his men were able to win so that The United States could claim independence.
James Peale used color in “The Battle of Princeton” to convey emotions and to make his painting look better. He uses dark clouds so that we would feel sorrow for the soldiers who died in the Battle of Princeton. He also uses color to create shadows of the people at the bottom of the painting so that it looks realistic.
Benjamin West did a good job with his painting “The Death of General Wolfe.” Similarly to Peale, he used color in his painting to express emotion. He painted the sky so that half of it is made up of light colors, while the other half of the sky is made up of dark colors. The light colors are supposed to make us happy for the British since they just won the battle, while the dark colors are there so we are sorrowful for the British general since he just died. I like that the painter placed a person up close, near the middle of the painting, with a big, rolled-up flag which is composed of thick lines. I feel like the flag is composed of thick lines to show that their army is strong.
I also found the third painting that you shared in your blog to be interesting. I would have to agree with you, Jacques-Louis David did a good job in his painting, “The Death of Socrates,” where everyone looks sad and distraught. I feel like he used shapes in his painting to convey meaning. The wall and the floor are made up of rectangular blocks which are used to show strength. The painting was designed this way to show that Socrates and his followers had strong beliefs and that they were not going to deny what they thought.
I like how you shared several paintings that all had to do with different types of revolutions. The first two paintings have to do with battles that occurred during revolutions, while the last painting had to do with Socrates and his revolutionary ways of thinking.
Classical art does have strong ties to historic events, particularly political events. One aspect I found in my research was the use of art as propaganda during the French Revolution. As with any historic event, the depiction created in art can be skewed to one side to serve a political purpose. As there were many historic pieces that were commissioned by a political group, of course the commissioned art would positively reflect upon that group, even at the risk of being somewhat inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your thoughts on displaying a Classical painting in a home. Many times the subject is not the lightest subject matter. I have come to appreciate the rich colors used in the paintings though, and the dramatic lighting and shading easily creates the focal point of the painting.
Whoops! Didn't realize I wasn't logged in! Here's a repost of my above comment:
DeleteClassical art does have strong ties to historic events, particularly political events. One aspect I found in my research was the use of art as propaganda during the French Revolution. As with any historic event, the depiction created in art can be skewed to one side to serve a political purpose. As there were many historic pieces that were commissioned by a political group, of course the commissioned art would positively reflect upon that group, even at the risk of being somewhat inaccurate.
I completely agree with your thoughts on displaying a Classical painting in a home. Many times the subject is not the lightest subject matter. I have come to appreciate the rich colors used in the paintings though, and the dramatic lighting and shading easily creates the focal point of the painting.