Classical Blog
The classical era had artistic styles of ancient Greece and Rome and the paintings focused on realism, harmony, proportion, among other factors. During this era, there were two very popular styles of painting: Rococo and Neoclassical. Neoclassicism featured more religious and mythological themes while the rococo style featured more nature, scenes of love, youth, etc. Neoclassicism art arose mostly due to the reaction against the sensuous and frivolously decorative rococo style in Europe. One very important and influential change that came from neoclassicism was morality in art. Morality was not viewed as important in rococo style art but thanks to neoclassicism, pieces of art during this era started showing themes of public virtue, patriotic sacrifice and good, moral deeds.
The Intervention of the Sabine Women
The Intervention of the Sabine Women was painted by Jacques Louis David in Paris, France from 1795 to 1799 and it is currently held at the Musée Du Louvre in Paris. This painting demonstrates morality because it promotes unity and harmony over violence. The Sabine women have their arms fully open and look in both directions, urging both sides to stop the war while also trying to protect the children. For some context, this painting was inspired by Roman mythology where Sabine women were taken as wives by the Romans and these same Sabine women intervene in a war between their husbands and the Sabine countrymen to prevent the war and bring peace and unity. I believe this painting does inspire awe since it represents the power women have in terms of promoting peace and helping with conflict which demonstrates the importance of familiar bonds and love over war. The emotions seen in this painting are desperation, outrage and worry. I wouldn't own a copy of this painting but I do think it has a really important message behind it and think it should stay in the museum where others can interpret it differently or perhaps the same as I did.
Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to her children as her treasures
Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, pointing to her children as her treasures was painted by Angelica Kauffman in Naples in 1785. In this painting, the children seem to be wearing ancient roman dresses. The background story of this painting has a beautiful message. Cornelia, mother of the future political leaders Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, welcomes a visitor who has came to her home to show her amazing jewelry and gems, almost like treasures. When the visitor asked Cornelia to show her treasures, she brought her children in instead of getting her own jewelry box which demonstrates the beautiful message that the treasures of a woman aren't materialistic but rather the children who are the future. The emotions portrayed in the painting are joy, seen on the children and Cornelia and embarrassment, seen on the visitor. This painting relates to morality since it emphasizes the value of family and moral character over material things. I think the white in Cornelia's dress helps show humbleness and purity. For many people, this painting probably wouldn't inspire awe but I would definitely own a copy of this painting since it relays such a beautiful message.
Oath of the Horatii
Oath of the Horatii by Jacques Louis David was a classical work of art as seen in its' style and composition, painted in Rome and was later exhibited in Paris. This painting features the Horatii brothers taking an oath to fight until the end in order to defend Rome against the Curiatii. These brothers clearly express their loyalty with Rome and their unity with each other which demonstrates acts of patriotism, duty and sacrifice which are main characteristics in morality. The men, including the father holding the swords, do not seem to show much emotion, possibly showing that they are not scared to fight and are determined while the women are seen as sad and weeping as they have to mourn the potential lost of their loved ones. I do think this painting inspires awe since it demonstrates bravery, courage and loyalty, among other characteristics but I probably wouldn't own this piece.
References
Irwin , D. (2018). Classicism and Neoclassicism . In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Neoclassicism
Neo-Classical Art. (n.d.). Www.bluffton.edu. https://www.bluffton.edu/courses/humanities/art/18c/neoclscl
Neoclassical Art: A Revival of Greco-Roman Taste. (2019, May 14). Invaluable. https://www.invaluable.com/blog/neoclassical-art/
The Intervention of the Sabine Women. (n.d.). Obelisk Art History. https://www.arthistoryproject.com/artists/jacques-louis-david/the-intervention-of-the-sabine-women/
Martin, D. (2016, January 7). Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures – Smarthistory. Smarthistory.org. https://smarthistory.org/angelica-kauffmann-cornelia-pointing-to-her-children-as-her-treasures/
Out of the paintings in your exhibition, I think "The Intervention of the Sabine Women" is my favorite. The detail, colors, and motion in the painting bring out a sense of actually being present in the war. I agree that there's a strong sense of desperation emanating from the painting. I like how you've demonstrated the morality shift in the world with these paintings. They are images that clearly plead humanity. Especially as you pointed out in Kauffman's painting, the mother was not so vain as to consider her jewels as treasures. Her children were the most important thing to her. I think that is beautifully represented in the painting and your explanation makes it very clear to understand.
ReplyDeleteI like the aspect of morality that neoclassicism brought to this era. My favorite part about the different chapters of art we are learning about is the insane amount of detail as well as the meaningful storytelling behind the paintings and sculptures. All of these old art pieces are so beautiful and SO intricately detailed, it is such a difference from some of the paintings you might see today that are really just a canvas painted in a single, solid color. "The Intervention of the Sabine Women" has so much detail in it, I love the smooth textures and all of the detailed people in it adding to the story of the women stopping the war for the children. I also noticed Jacques used the contrast of light and dark to guide our eyes to the women in the middle of the painting and I like this little addition because there is so much going on within the piece that it helps solidify the story.
ReplyDeleteHello there!!
ReplyDeleteI loved how organized your blog was! It made it easy for me to see what I was looking at. I also chose the Oath of the Horatii in my blog. its such a strong and meaningful piece. It shouldn't go unnoticed. I admire how much detail you put into your work. The detail you gave with the theme connecting to the painting itself really glued it all together. I want to add to the Oath of the Horatii painting. The color also adds some information to it. If you know what colors coordinate with what emotion, you probably saw it too. The color orange usually means anxiety, and to the looks of it, the painting seems as if they are in a pretty high anxious situation. I hope you had as much fun with this assignment as I did reading it.