Neoclassicism - More than just "imitation"

Neoclassicism is the first approach of our journey. It is a 18-century revival of many styles and spirit of classic antiquity inspired directly from the classical period - or in other words - a “rediscovery” of classical ideal. Neoclassicism was born in Rome thanks to the writings of Johann Joachim Wickelmann. "The one way for us to become great, perhaps inimitable, is by imitating the ancients." - He said.

"Parnassus" by Anton Raphael Mengs

The University of Virginia

Neoclassicism can be seen in different fields including decorative and visual arts, music, theater, literature and architecture. Its influence is huge, started from Europe and spread to the US. Many buildings built in Neoclassicist design still remain till today. To have a deeper look into some Neoclassicist features, let's look into the design of the US Capitol. (see below)

The US Capitol is the building that the Senate and House of Representatives come together to discuss, debate, and deliberate national policy, develop consensus and makes the country’s laws. It was built by Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the US. It is considered Neoclassicist since it combines function with aesthetics. Besides, the design of the building was influenced by Greeks and Romans.

The building materials are varied by the function of each part. Cast iron was used for the expansions of the Senate and House of Representative wings, and also for the dome. Marble was used throughout the building for its beauty, durability, and it was easy to carve. Sandstone was used because it was locally found in a government quarry and was easy to cut into shapes. For the dome, people have repaired it may times since cast iron does not weld very well and ends up cracking. In their final restoration, they used a method called "lock n’ stitch" and use metal rods like stitches to mend the cracks. Finally, they drill holes into the cast iron and fill the holes with the metal rods and is hammered in to give it extra strength.

The US Capitol is more than a building; it is an architectural achievement and a national symbol - a symbol of the US government and US people.

Besides architectures, Neoclassicism was reflected the most in contemporary arts. Each painting has different context and value, but all artists were influenced by the same man: Jacques Louis David, the leading father of this school of art. Let's look at his most famous paintings below.

"The Oath of Horatii" by Jacques Louis David (1784)

"The Oath of Horatii" is one of the most famous paintings of Jacques Louis David. The oil paint is now kept in the Louvre Museum. It portrays a scene set in 669 BCE about a dispute between two rival cities, Rome and Alba Longa. The rulers of each city have decided that, instead of ordering their respective armies to fight each other, they will each select three individuals to do the fighting for them. In Rome, three brothers from the Horatii family agree to fight on behalf of the city, against three brothers from the Curiatii family from Alba Longa. The painting depicts the three Horatii brothers saluting their father who holds aloft their swords. Besides the three Horatii brothers, there are women in the family who are all heartbroken at the situation. In the end, only one brother came back alive. This highly political painting promotes patriotism and self-sacrifice for one's country. This loyalty should take priority over everything - even family. It also proclaims the overriding importance of the Republic, as David did not draw a king in the picture.

This is a typical example for viewers wanting to find some Neoclassicist characteristics. The idealized faces and bodies of the men, bunched together for solidarity, with their determined looks and taut, outstretched limbs, convey an intensity and clarity of purpose, as they take their oath of allegiance to Rome. The trio express no emotion or doubt about the nature of their mission. Therefore, there are many straight lines which express strength there. In contrast, the women's sensitivity is illustrated by curve: They are leaning on each other in deep grief. Jacques Louis David focuses on clear and hard details with a basic background to make a theatrical effect, in which the spotlight is the three Horatii brothers.

“The Death of Marat” by Jacques Louis David

The artwork above was painted by Jacques Louis David in 1793. Jean-Paul Marat was the leader of the French Revolution. He had a severe skin condition so he often worked in the bathtub. One day, while he was working, a women came to see him. She said that she knew who betrayed the Revolution. Therefore, Marat invited this stranger to his bathtub so that he could take notes of those names. However, the women turned out to be a supporter of his rivals. She took out a knife and stabbed Marat, which made him die immediately. David was Marat’s best friend, so he was assigned two important jobs: preparing Marat’s funeral and drawing his death scene.

This painting illustrates an image of a martyr who died for his country. Viewers can find this artwork a perfectly balanced composition. Marat and his bathtub forms horizontal plane in the foreground, which balances the minimalist background. There are no redundant details so as not to distract viewers. It looks like a theatrical scene in which the spotlight illuminates the main character and a selection of strategically placed objects, such as the fresh-written paper.

“Bonaparte at the Pont d’Arcole” by Antoine-Jean Gros

Antoine-Jean Gros is another French artist. His works are in the genres of history and neoclassical painting. Gros studied under Jacques-Louis David in Paris and began an independent artistic career during the French Revolution. “Bonaparte at the Pont d’Arcole” was painted in 1796, showing an episode during the Battle of Arcole in November 1796, with General Napoleon Bonaparte leading his troops to storm the bridge. The painting presents a three-quarter-length image of Bonaparte, holding the flagstaff of the armée d'Italie in his left hand and his sword in his right - on its blade is the inscription Bonaparte, Armée d'Italie. He is dressed in the dark blue trousers and tunic of a general of the Republic, with a gold-embroidered red collar. Beneath them he wears a white shirt and a black scarf. He also wears a gold-fringed tricolor cummerbund and a belt bearing his empty scabbard. The background suggests the smoke of battle, with a few houses in the distance on the left. The land bordering the river is painted in dark tones, with a smoking cannonball still visible.

“Napoleon on the Battlefield of Eylau” by Antoine-Jean Gros

“Napoleon on the Battlefield of Eylau” is an oil painting that Antoine-Jean Gros painted in 1808. The battle of Eylau (8 February 1807) in Poland, in which the Russian army was defeated by the French during the fourth coalition, was an extremely bloody engagement, resulting in 25,000 dead and wounded. The Emperor, advancing towards the right, is mounted on a light bay horse, and surrounded by his staff; the cloak and hat which he wore at Eylau were handed to Gros, who kept them till his death. Napoleon is speaking to a wounded Lithuanian, who is moved by the humanity of the victor, and is credited with saying: 'Caesar has granted me life; I will serve you faithfully, as I have served Alexander.' Opposite Napoleon, on a prancing charger, is Murat, whose epic charges transformed an undecided battle into victory; between Murat and Napoleon can be seen Marshal Berthier, Marshal Bessières and General Caulaincourt; the young Lithuanian soldier who stretches his arms towards Napoleon is supported by Baron Percy, Surgeon-in-Chief to the Grande Armée. In this work, Gros has entirely forsaken classical composition. He grouped his figures in masses and put striking close-ups of bleeding corpses in the foreground. He has successfully rendered the melancholy of the great wintry plain, the sky leaden with smoke from the burning village.

Besides fine arts, Neoclassicism is also well-known for complex sculptures. Antonio Canova was considered the greatest sculptor of his time in Europe, known for his marble works. The one above is “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss.” Having been recently awakened, Psyche reaches up towards her lover, Cupid, as he gently holds her by supporting her head and breast. Antonio Canova's fine technique in carving marble contrasts their realistic smooth skin with the surrounding elements. Loosely draped around Psyche’s lower body, a sheet further emphasizes the difference between the texture of skin and drapery. Rough texture provides the basis of the rock which the composition is placed supplementing the distinctions of elements. Fine curls and lines make up the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid.

The back of the sculptor

There is a handle near one of Psyche’s feet as the statue was meant to be able to be revolved on its base. Many of Canova’s sculptures had custom built settings or a device that would move the base, thus the handle provided for some of the movement of the statue. This movement emphasizes the emotion and beauty of the sculpture while piquing interest from all angles.

Another sculpture is “The three graces”, which was regarded internationally as a masterpiece of neoclassical European sculpture. This group of three mythological sisters was in fact a second version of an original, which was commissioned by Joséphine de Beauharnais, first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Taking its motif from ancient Greek literature, Canova used white marble to depict the three daughters of Zeus, each of whom is described as being able to bestow a particular gift on humanity: (from left to right) Euphrosyne (mirth), Aglaia (elegance) and Thalia (youth and beauty). Canova's assistants roughly blocked out the marble, leaving Canova to perform the final carving and shape the stone to highlight the Graces’ soft flesh. The three goddesses are shown nude and they huddled together. They lean slightly inward.

"The Three Graces" by Antonio Canova

The style is elegant and suggests refinement. There is a delicate beauty to them that is commonplace in Canova's sculpture. The three slender female figures become one in their embrace, united by their linked hands and by a scarf which links them. The unity of the Graces is the piece's main theme.

After understanding some Neoclassicism male artists, let’s look into a female artist - Angelica Kaufmann. Angelica Kauffman was a child prodigy trained by her father, who was the muralist Johann Joseph Kauffman. During the early 1760s, she traveled through Switzerland, Austria, and Italy working as her father’s assistant. This lifestyle provided her the rare opportunity for a woman to see and replicate many classical and Renaissance masterworks and to meet leaders of the new movement known as Neoclassicism. During a three-year stay in Italy, she created her reputation as a painter of portraits and history paintings. She rejected working in genres deemed acceptable to female artists, such as still life, to pursue history painting.

The painting above is called “Torn between music and painting”, a self-portrait that recalls the popular 17th-century theme in which Hercules, at the Crossroads, must choose between Luxury and Fame, she recreates this theme with her own crossroad in her life of music and painting. She was so distraught at the difficulty of the decision that she went with her father to consult a priest in their home of Milan, who told her that while music would offer fast and easy rewards, it would be too distracting from her role as a devout woman. Music on the left has sheet music in her lap and is holding Angelica’s hand and Art on the right is wearing primary colors, has a color palette in her hand and is pointing upwards. She uses expressions for art and music to express her feelings towards the two. Through her brush, Art has a demanding look and Music has a softer look.

Another work of Angelica Kauffman’s is “Mother of the Gracchi.” In this painting, Kauffman illustrates Cornelia, an ancient Roman woman who was the mother of the future political leaders. She portrays Roman architectural influences that surround the scene. This particular story references a visitor that has come to her home to show off a large array of jewelry and precious gems, or “treasures” and when she asks Cornelia to reveal her treasures she brings her children forward. Some Neoclassical characteristics that are demonstrated in both pieces include the use of dramatic lighting, bright primary colors in painting and smooth, and roman architecture which you can see in both pieces.

In short, Neoclassicism in general and Neoclassicism arts have always create a huge interest to those who love art. Until now, Neoclassicism is still of great importance on the power of reason as a way of discovering truth. That is why Neoclassicism came along with the Enlightenment - the Age of Reason and rationalism.