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Eighteenth Century European Art
The eighteenth century was a period of transition between the old order of
popes and kings and the modern world. The grandeur and exuberance of the
seventeenth century Baroque style devolved into a visually pleasing decorative
style which better suited the more relaxed social manners, clothing and
interiors of the time. This elegant style, known as the Rococo, delighted in
complex spiraling design, naturalistic detail, and themes of love and pleasant
pastimes.
This was an age of great European travel - the "Grand Tour" - as well as scientific and archaeological discovery. The mid-century unearthing of the ancient Roman cities, Pompeii and Herculaneum drew great numbers of visitors and inspired a new style, the Neoclassical, which by the end of the century replaced the Rococo. Based on the art and architecture of classical Greece and Rome, the Neoclassical was favored by the French Revolution and by Napoleon who attempted to bring all of Europe under his rule.
Nineteenth Century European Art
During the years 1800 to 1900, European civilization changed in almost every
area of human endeavor: politics, industry, science, technology, transportation,
commerce, literature and even religion. In the visual arts, artists developed
new ways of interpreting the changing world around them and these various schools
or movements moved rapidly on each other’s heels or existed concurrently.
Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and
Symbolism are some of the major artistic trends of this vibrant and interesting
century. While the State, an increasing wealthy upper class, and the Church
remained the primary patrons of artists, some began making art for the pleasure
alone, and some began to challenge the artistic establishment.
At the same time as some artists pushed the limits of accepted artistic norms, defenders of the old ways, the Academy, objected to the rapid changes and tried to control the artistic world through a conservative bureaucracy. Controversy regarding the true nature of art raged throughout the century. What seemed like age-old traditions were challenged, defended, challenged again and finally set aside for new ones. Just as revolution in government might occur at any moment, so could revolt in art. When the smoke cleared in the early twentieth century - although the controversies were far from over - the modern world had become truly modern.
Web LINKS
National Gallery of Art
French and Italian Painting of the 18th Century
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/french18-2.html
French Painting of the 19th Century
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/french19-2.html
Web Gallery of Art
British Art in the 18th Century
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/tours/english/18_cent.html
French Art in the 18th Century
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/tours/french/18_cent.html
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