Neoclassical Art and Romanticism (Research Paper Sample)

Neoclassical art and romanticism
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Introduction
Four distinct periods in history (renaissance, baroque, neoclassicism, and romanticism) stand out with various artistic products. Works created during these particular periods were similar, although had distinct differences. The renaissance era of art started during 1400s in Italy. It considered as one of the most significant in Europe’s history since it was an era in which medieval time was transitioned into the modern age. Renaissance period was followed by Baroque period in 1600s which was another transformation period that came during reformation. Renaissance artists focused on the examples of knowledge and values left by the classic Greek and roman cultures. Baroque arts were recreation renaissance arts; therefore, were dramatic, emotional, complex and diverse, and were often used by catholic Counter-Reformation efforts to fight against Protestantism. Neoclassicism and romanticism have distinct characteristics, though derived their development from renaissance and baroque. The paper is focused to compare the Jacques-Louis David’ Oath of Horattii and Eugene Delacroix’s liberty leading the people to show how these artists represented these tumultuous years. The paper also aims to examine the history of neoclassic art and romantics and these two artists in specific.
The history of Neo-Classical and Romanticist art including the two artists
Neoclassicism was the western movement in which visual art, architecture, and painting drew their inspiration from the classical culture and art of ancient Rome and Greece (Faroult, 2011). The neoclassical trend coincided with age of enlightenment in the 18th century and continued during the early 19th century and later competed with romanticism. Neoclassical art was unemotional, simple and realistic form of arts and rigid in nature as it was reacting against the overbred Rococo style and emotionalized Baroque style.
Romanticism gained momentum towards the end of 18th century. Romantic art was a product of a reaction against neoclassic art. According to Johnson (2011), romanticism combined the heroic components of neoclassic art with its revolutionary idealism to create an emotive romantic style. Romantic art emerged with the advent of the French Revolution. The principles of romanticism comprise of artwork focused on nature, complex and plenary painting, artwork promotes goodness of humanity and justice for all and emphasizes on strong emotions and senses rather than intellect and reason. Romantic artists created an emotional, personal response toward life rather than universal and restraint values promoted by neoclassical artists.
Jacques-Louis David was the main proponent of neoclassical art; he worked for the emperor Napoleon as an official painter. In 1771, David obtained an awarded for his artwork was the second best. In 1774, he received best award in his painting. These enabled him to go for studies in Rome for five years training course. After five years, he returned to Paris where he was famously recognized of his anti-Rococo neoclassical art. Bietoletti (2009) says that the themes of his artwork depicted austerity (seriousness), devotion to duty and self-sacrifice. David was active in several fields. When the French revolution came, he put his history into practicality. He put his artwork and his personhood to serve actively during the French revolution.
Eugene Delacroix was an influential exponent in the Romantic Movement. He used romantic style to create memorable and unique colorful arts. He journeyed across Europe and had a great experience in Morocco. He enjoyed his career that enabled him to obtain several commissions from the government. His painting and art techniques had a great effect on the impressionist and post-impressionist movements. His art displayed intense colors and emotion, expressed uninhibited and exploded energy. His artwork exposed fascination for violence and destruction and exposed life through virtuous colors (Moscovici, 2010). People admired him to due to his valiant technical innovations.
Comparison of Delacroix’s liberty leading the people and David’s oath of the Horatii
Both the works of Delacroix’s painting and Jacques-Louis David’s work bring into play the need to arm oneself though act on their own artistic styles (Bietoletti, 2009). First, David’s painting is based on neoclassical style whereas Delacroix’s artwork is painted using a romantic style. Both the artworks were created to give viewers inspiration since they were painted during the French revolution.
David’s Oath of the Horatii shows the three sons of Horatius swearing an oath to fight for their nation while their father stand holding swords for them to grasp (Faroult, 2011). On the left shows weeping women and a frightened child; they are sad because of the probability of death facing the Horatii brother. The painting is considered as an allegorical cry demanding for a revolution in France. The structure of lines of the artwork indicates how David deviated away from extreme flowery and delicacy expression of the classical style. The painting is simple (there is no spontaneity), and the presence of feminine replaced a stoical masculinity of classical antiquity. The sons are on the left; Horatius is at the center while the women are on the left. David chose few colors that are well-balanced. The vivid red color on the Horatius’ cloak draws viewers’ attention. Brothers put on blue, white, and red clothing as they are passionately and patriotically prepared to fight for the glory of Rome.


The oath of the Horattii was designed a few years prior the French revolution, though it can be seen the painter is calling the people of France to arm themselves based on the idea that the painting depicts. The ideas of the painting entail the ideas of enlightenment that a person is the measure of all things; the struggle for natural rights and perfection of the person. David used his painting to refer to events from classical Greece that was the main theme of neoclassical painting to depict (Bietoletti, 2009). The painter shows a need to arm oneself that the Horatii have to adopt to fight against the Curatii. The Horatii brothers have to fight not just for the sake, but must fight against the ideals and lifestyle of the Curatii whom are their enemy. The Curatii live in a nearby state of Alba. As the swords indicate, even if the Horattii brothers die, they must protect their ideals. As it can be seen in the painting, the Horattii including others are painted in the clothing based on the Greek style including the back that is designed of Greek architectural style. This is a feature of neoclassical art. Certain artistic techniques, which can be seen in David’s painting, are various geometrical shapes David used to create his characters which assist to convey the story. David painted the Horattii brothers using a linear motion. The torso, legs, and arms of the Horatii brothers are all extended while their muscles are flexed as they strive to reach the swords so they appear showing a sense of power within themselves while they reach the swords from their father who appears to take a step back (Cavina and McEwen, 2004). The women are shaped curvy; it seems they are weak and lack power. The women feel the Horatii brothers would not have the strength to defend the state. David decided to create this painting as a way of depicting the ideas of enlightenment to explain that ideas that an individual is the measure of all things that he has to fight. However, human beings are rational animals; they do not allow their relationship and feelings ruin the welfare of the state.
On the other hand, the artwork (Liberty Leading the People) was the July Revolution of 1830. This was an event which Delacroix had to paint since he felt it was his obligation, as a revolutionist, to record the event. The art shows a woman, who carries a red flag, is commanding attention and leading people. The painter has designed pyramid structure with the leader at the peak while dead soldiers at the base of the ground. The pyramid technique creates a bala...