Getting closer and closer to the modern art of today, Anatoly Vanetik walks you through the basics of Neoclassical Art in his latest art history post.

1. Anatoly's Art History
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
NEOCLASSICAL
ART

2. Art History
Background From Anatoly
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
I don’t have a background in art. I’m not much of an
artist myself. I don’t do much painting anymore, nor
do I sculpt or draw. But just as you don’t have to play
baseball to watch the Dodgers or play football to
watch your local team, I love art despite not
participating in the creation too heavily. So while I
may not paint or draw, what I do is write–both here on
TonyVanetik.net about my interest in art and art
history, and on my other websites.

3. Neoclassical Art
Background
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Looking at the etymology of the word "neoclassic"
sheds some insight into the period. As you may know,
the prefix "neo" means “new.”
While you may be inclined to believe that neoclassic
then roughly translates to "new classic," you'd be
incorrect!
The "classic" in neoclassic comes from the Latin
"classicus" meaning "of highest rank."

4. Neoclassical Art
Background
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Born in the mid 18th century in Rome, Neoclassicism,
as so many other periods of art have done, acted as a
sort of call back to previous eras.
In this case, those eras are Ancient Roman and Greek
art. Conveniently, I’ve written about Ancient roman
Art previously on TonyVanetik.net, so hop over there
if you need to catch up a bit. If you're more visually
inclined, check it out on my slideshare account!

5. Neoclassical Art
The Birth and Spread
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Despite being birthed in Rome, the Neoclassic period
of art swept across the wide reaches of Europe,
influencing art and artists through the 19th century,
coinciding with the era of Romanticism, acting as
both a complement and a competition for the style.

6. Neoclassical Art
The Grand Tour
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Most of the spread of neoclassic art comes from the
Grand Tour.
Young, affluent men of this period were expected at
some point in their lives to take a long tour of Europe,
soaking in the culture and expanding personal
horizons. As this was a fairly commonplace
occurrence, it was natural that the booming of
Neoclassic art at the time would be picked up and
spread like wildfire due in part to the sheer number of
people on the Grand Tour.

7. Neoclassical Art
A Return to Rome
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
This callback to the artistic explosion of their forebears
was not long on the people of the time, who wanted a
counterculture movement to the likes of the Baroque
and Rococo periods of the same time.
Written off for their frivolity and over the top qualities,
artists who preferred to adhere to the neoclassical
form became recognized for the lack of emotion and
return to what is often referred to as classical thought.

8. Neoclassical Art
So What Did It Look Like?
Sternness, boldness, and heroism were defining
characteristics of neoclassical art. Often, the subjects
of the pieces were historical in nature, crafted with
fairly lower-key, somber tones in place of the bright
colors and eclectic patterns of the other periods of the
time.
Some art of the time, painted by Jaques-Louis David
(right) and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (left).

9. For More Art History
and Appreciation,
Visit:
TonyVanetik.net