Chapter 29 18th Century Art In Europe And The Americas
1. Chapter 29: 18th Century Art in
Europe and the Americas
Magister Ricard
Art History
2.
3. Major Developments
• The Enlightenment
• Rococo Style emerges in Europe
• Italy and its Classical Revival
• Revivals in Britain – Classical and Gothic
• Neoclassicism and Romanticism in Britain
• Neoclassicism response in France to Rococo
4. The Enlightenment
• Europe started the 18th century in a semi-feudal
state
– Economic and political power was centrally-based
– Aristocratic class held most of the power
• By the end, industrial manufacturing would shift
the economic paradigm
• The Enlightenment pushed thinkers, philosophes,
to improve the institutions of mankind
– Nature is both rational and good
– Observation of natural laws could lead to happiness
for mankind
6. Rococo Style in Europe
• Portugese barroco – irregularly shaped pearl
• French rocaille – shell or rock ornament used in
gardens
• Elegant designs and pastel color base
• Frivolous, playful subjects
• Curves and dainty figures
• Favored by aristocratic class which were more
concerned with pursuit of pleasure
• Mainly developed in France in wake of Louis XIV
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14. Italy and Classical Revival
• The Grand Tour – the completion of an
aristocratic education was a tour of the major
cultural sites of Europe
• Paris, Venice, Florence, Naples, and Rome
• This heavily inspires the growth of Neoclassicism
during the Enlightenment
• Pleased the senses and taught moral lessons
• Was a reaction to frivolity of Rococo
• Pompeii and Herculaneum discovered in 1738
16. Neoclassicism in England
• Alexander Pope translated the Homer into
English
• Wrote his own poetry in iambic pentameter
• Women started to wear white muslin gowns
to look “classical”
26. Romanticism in Britain
• Challenged the Enlightenment’s focus on
scientific observation, intellect
• Stressed the emotions and the subjective
existence of the irrational side of human
nature
