Neo Classicalism
Is a name given to distinct movements in the decorative and visual arts. That influence western classicalism art and culture.
This movement was known in the Ancient Greece and ancient Rome in the mid 19th century. Its a movement that grew against Rococo style which was more decorative and inheritance. The Neo classicalism was dived into two parts the restoration age which took place in the 1660’s to 17th and the Augustan age whereby the pope was the main ruler and everyone regarded the pope as a god, he was the central poetic figure.
During the neo classicalism period what took place was he rise of the middle class. people wanted more the expansion, industrial revolution, growth urbanism and capital.Redefition of the European standards and education ,people now depend on themselves and what they where earning through hard work.
Four main revolution that was rising was the :
Industrial
Artistic
Social
And the political
In the industrial revolution beginning in England in the late 18th century it had important implications for the social and physical organization of the life and work. Which was mainly machines replacing human and animal power. they introduced new materials such as iron steel and glass, new methods of construction was implicated to make life more simplified. New building types, factories railroads station bridges and more middle class housing.
Example is a Bridge, the bridge at Coalbrookdale is the first cast iron bridge built using contrition techniques which will be more completely recognized a century later in the Eiffel Tower and other buildings. Done by Abranham Darby and Thomas Pritchhard,called the iron bridge ,1776-79
Neo classicalism movement in the mid 17th represents poltical events and seriousness of the time it was a period following the rococo movement embodied a desire to return the perceived ‘’Purity’’ of the arts of Rome. Depicting classicalism themes and subject matter in archaeological settings with people clothed in classical costumers. Many painters during this time added fabled beings and mythological figures in their painting.
One if the artist during this time was Jacques Louis David. Born in1748 into a middle class family. he study at the academies Royal under the Rococo theme. On his trip to Italy he was influenced by the classicalism style and soon develops his own style. During his life he painted for royalty and then French revolution and at the end of his life painted for the emperor of Napoleon. His art work was always filled with harmony, simplicity and proportion.
The painting called Oath of Horatii by by David, the painting portrays the Haratii brothers swearing allegiances to the state while the father holds swords high for them to grasp. The structured lines of the painting demonstrate show David stays away from delicate famine lines every line and colour is minimalist and there is no unneeded brush stroke. Colours are kept well balanced as shown and the forced point or the viewer is draw towards the swords. Although the story involves the Horatii family sons going out against their cousins, because one if the cousin happens to be the lover of the sister of the Horatii brothers and when he brothers survive the battle against them by killing the lover of his sister she curses him and he in return skills her for her inappropriate behavior, although David does not depict this in his painting.
Rise of the power the middle class emerging emphasized self-reliance and personal achievements as to oppose to privileges and inheritance. Being middle class a was defined by taking responsibility for one’s self but also family and community. They realized through hard work they could achieve social and economic success. Neo Classicalism was originally a reaction against the previous generation artist which was the Rococo.
Jewellery in the neo classicalism shapes are general more geometric, scrolls and garlands were a popular theme Decoration tended to be the light and retrained side. The hairdos included swept up and therefore necklines where open, long dangle earring was wore but during this period jewelry was only wore for special occasions and women were not allowed to wear it ,only when a women get pregnant and has her first child could she wear it as a gift from her husband. Elements in the design of jewellery was leaves Greek patterns and the gem or diamond would be the focally point it was not really decretive and women and people wore it as a pieces of accessories than oppose to jewellery if they did wear jewellery the jewellery had to have a purpose for example a broach.
The Fashion in this period they wore short wasted gowns soft flowing skirts and were often made of white like the Rome clothing. The middle class and upper class women would have the different dress for different events as so the men. Both changed clothing in perpetration for evening meals follow by entertainment, afternoon dresses, walking dresses and even traveling dresses. Moring dresses must be completely covered because that was the law or you would be disgrace the family name. Dinner hours later in the day arms elbows could be bare morning dresses worn inside the house. They were high-necked and long-sleeved covering the throat and wrists generally plain. Evening dresses were often decorative with short sleeves baring bosoms and bare arms covered with cloves.
Young ladies wore softer shades like pink, blues and mature matron could wear colours like purple, black and deep blue’s or yellows