Classical Period: The Art and Morality

Following the Baroque Period was the Classical Era, which brought two distinctive art styles, Rococo and Neoclassical. Although these two styles existed during the same period, the art from both eras varied greatly from one another, each with its own distinct characteristics and meanings.  In my blog post, I will compare Rococo to the Neoclassical, as well as describe a few examples of the artworks from each respective style. 

Rococo Style:

The start of the Classical Era began with the Rococo style, which was known for its fondness of pastel color use, and its preference to lean towards elegance and romanticism. During this period the subject matter was considerably light, portraying life somewhat theatrical and carefree, and was characterized by its depictions of lavish French aristocratic activities.  Furthermore, the art during the Rococo period didn't really embody any specific moralized messages but rather was always set in an ideal setting that did not really reflect reality in any way. 

The example I chose to demonstrate the Rococo style is Jean-Antoine Watteau's Pleasures of Love. The painting presents a simple scene of individuals wearing aristocratic clothing in a beautiful bright environment. This painting lacks any depiction of morality and instead displays a luxurious surrounding with a very carefree atmosphere. If anything, this painting portrays an idealistic scenario one may desire to experience rather than representing a moralistic message to the viewers. 

Pleasures of Love by Jean-Antoine Watteau (ca. 1718-1719)

Eventually some French were appalled by the style, considering it a symbol of the moral decline of French Leadership, and resulting in the shift towards Neoclassical style. 

Neoclassical Style

Following the Rococo style was the Neoclassical era, which possessed characteristics opposite of the prior period, and depicted more heavy realistic scenarios. In comparison to the Rococo style, Neoclassicism believed that art should demonstrate desires for heroic behaviors, and embedded the importance of morality. Usually, the artworks would illustrate scenes consisting of individuals partaking in good deeds, showing their influence from the idealism of the works of the Roman and Greek antiquities.  And with such a strong influence of inspiration during this period, Roman and Greeks mythology was reflected heavily through the vast amount of art depicting historical scenes, heroism, and modern scenes that would consist of fantastical elements. The purpose of Neoclassical art was meant to visually inspire others in hope that it would enlighten others to follow the path of good morals and practice good deeds. 

The first painting I chose as an example is Benjamin West's 1770 painting The Death of the General Wolfe., which depicts the historical event during the Seven Years' War when Major-General James Wolfe was mortally wounded on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec. I chose this painting because of its noticeable characteristics of the Neoclassical style that differed greatly from the Rococo Style. For example, we can see the Neoclassical's use of dark colors and heavy subject matters, which was the opposite of the works from the Rococo period, as well as its demonstration of heroism and good morals. It is probable that West portrayed the painting's protagonist in a Christ-like way, depicting Wolfe's death as a worthwhile cause similar to the death of Christ, making his death honorable. 

The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West (1770)

The next painting I chose was Angelica Kauffmann's Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures from 1785. Kauffman's painting illustrates the story of Cornelia (center),  an ancient Roman woman who was the mother of future political leaders Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (the two boys in the piece). In the painting's scene, the women red has come to flaunt her jewelry ("treasures") to Cornelia; however, as a response, when asked what her treasures are, she simply points to her sons and humbly presents them. With the understanding of the story, the moral message presented is prominent, declaring that the most precious treasures of a woman are their children rather than any materialistic possession.  Both Kauffmann's and West's painting presents the importance of morality during the Neoclassical period, meanwhile, Watteau's demonstrates Rococo's style of lacking moral values. 

Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures by Angelica Kauffmann (1785)

Works Cited:

Art 200x, 24 Apr. 2009, art200.community.uaf.edu/2009/04/24/03-visual-arts-2/.

“Benjamin West, The Death of General Wolfe (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/british-colonies/colonial-period/a/benjamin-wests-the-death-of-general-wolfe.

Irwin, David. “Neoclassical Art.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/art/Neoclassicism.

“Kauffmann, Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/rococo-neoclassicism/neo-classicism/a/kauffmann-cornelia-presenting-her-children-as-her-treasures.

“Neoclassical Art: A Revival of Greco-Roman Taste.” Invaluable, 14 May 2019, www.invaluable.com/blog/neoclassical-art/.

“Neoclassicism Movement Overview.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/movement/neoclassicism/.

“Rococo Movement Overview.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/movement/rococo/.

“Watteau, Jean-Antoine.” WebMuseum: Watteau, Jean-Antoine, www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/watteau/.

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1775-1825), cmed.ku.edu/private/classical.html.