Classical Era

Morality and the Arts of the Classical Era

There were two popular styles of art during the Classical Era, the Rococo, and the Neoclassical style. The Rococo art style came before the Neoclassical Era. The Rococo painting style was characterized by soft colors, curvy lines, and depicts scenes of love. The word Rococo comes from rocaille, which is French for rubble or rock (Rococo Art). It was light and ornate, it was often romanticizing past times that were being featured. This style of art did not reflect real life to me in any way. The Rococo art carried a strong sense of theatricality and drama, it was influenced by stage design (Rococo Movement). Artists during the Rococo era used paintings to represent the joyous lust for life. This included works with whimsical gatherings full of happy people. Many people, especially the middle class didn't view the Rococo paintings as relatable to real life. They felt that the Rococo style was a symbol of the moral decline of the French leaders. This is when the public started to use their voice and share their opinion about the morality of the art. While Rococo painting style was more curvy lines and soft colors, the Neoclassical style of painting was characterized by the use of straight lines, smooth paint surface, little use of color, and a clear crisp definition of forms. One of the most well-known artists from the Neoclassical Era is Jacques Louis David. With everything that happened with the moral decline with the Rococo art style the Neoclassical art arose. It brought a revival in the Classical art era that mirrored what was going on in the political debates of the time.

The Rococo 

The Triumph of Venus, by Francois Boucher 1740

The first painting from the Rococo era I chose was The Triumph of Venus. I chose this painting because of the lack of morality and the depiction of real life. This painting was done by the artist Francois Boucher. He is considered to be one of the most leading proponents of the French Rococo (Google Arts & Culture ). This painting relates to the Rococo era because of the characteristics of the painting. It fits with the Rococo style characteristics of curvy lines, soft colors, and a whimsical happy setting. From the mythological subject to the soft palate this painting by Francois Boucher is classified as a Rococo art style. The backstory and meaning of this painting are to portray the myth of the birth of Venus. She was the goddess of love and reigned the island of Cythera with love and lust. Francois Boucher created this painting in 1740 and it now resides at the Nationalmuseum. This painting is not a depiction of reality due to the mythical creatures and the women laying in the water. 

The Swing, by Jean-Honore Fragonard 1767

The second Rococo style painting I chose is The Swing, by Jean-Honore Fragonard. I chose this painting specifically for its lack of morality and depiction of real life. The focus and main point of this painting is the woman in pink on the swing. Her dress is a large fluffy detailed dress. The man painted in the bottom left of this painting hiding in the bushes looks to be her lover. The second man in the lower right corner is pushing her on the swing. He doesn't look like her lover or anyone she is really interested in. This painting is not reflecting morality. There are two men involved in her life and from the expressions on her face and their face, they seem fond of her while she just looks like she is enjoying the attention. Due to how the woman is dressed this painting is not a depiction of reality. Rococo-style art does not depict real life and lacks a sense of morality.

The transformation from Rococo to Neoclassical 

Broken Eggs, by Jean Baptiste Greuze 1756

The painting I chose to show the start of the change in art style was Broken Eggs, this painting was created in 1756 by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. This piece of art is from the shift from Rococo to Neoclassical. The morals are more noticeable and pronounced in this painting, the girl in this painting looks upset about something. The other woman in the painting is holding the man back from approaching the upset girl. The pose of this young servant girl, whose loss of virginity is symbolized by the broken eggs (Metmuseum). This painting is showing the morals of the era, that sleeping with someone before marriage is bad. We can tell by the emotions of the people in this painting. I chose this painting because of the emotions.

Neoclassical 


The Death of General Wolfe, by Benjamin West 1770

The first Neoclassical style painting I chose was The Death of General Wolfe, by Benjamin West. I chose this painting for two different reasons. The first is that this is Benjamin West's most celebrated history painting. It depicts an event that occurred during the Seven Years' War, the exact moment that General James Wolfe was wounded on the Plains of Abraham. All of the men in this painting are aiding their dying commander. Historians have claimed that only Lieutenant Henry Browne who's holding the British flag above Wolfe was present for General Wolfs' death. This painting does represent morality because Benjamin West paints the men sticking by their commander's side during his death. This Neoclassical painting does depict morality and real life.


Valentine, Proteus, Sylvia and Giulia in the Forest (Scene from "Two Gentlemen of Verona" Act V, Scene IV) by Angelica Kauffman 1788

The second Neoclassical style painting I chose was Valentine Rescues Sylvia in "Two Gentlemen of Verona '' by Angelica Kauffman. I chose this painting because of its clear depictions of real-life and morality. This painting shows an act of heroism, heroism was commonly seen in Neoclassical artwork. If you look closely you can see a straight line in the middle of the painting from left to right. This painting is very linear compared to Rococo-style paintings. The woman, Sylvia, is dressed in white which symbolizes purity. This painting depicts morality and real-life from the hero saving Sylvia.








“Valentine, Proteus, Sylvia and Giulia in the Forest (Scene from ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ Act V, Scene IV) - Angelica Kauffman - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/valentine-proteus-sylvia-and-giulia-in-the-forest-scene-from-two-gentlemen-of-verona-act-v-scene-iv/VwEFbK-ADi1loA?hl=en.

Zygmont, Dr. Bryan, and Dr. Bryan Zygmont. “Benjamin West, The Death of General Wolfe.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/benjamin-wests-the-death-of-general-wolfe/.

Metmuseum.org, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436579.

“Broken Eggs - Jean-Baptiste Greuze - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/broken-eggs/bAGjsmQGE2QDxw?hl=en.

Bruckbauer, Dr. Ashley, and Dr. Ashley Bruckbauer. “Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/.

“Collection.” Nationalmuseum, http://collection.nationalmuseum.se/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=17773&viewType=detailView.

“The Triumph of Venus - François Boucher - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-triumph-of-venus-fran%C3%A7ois-boucher/CwF1yz3e9bRtYg.

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

Boundless. “Boundless Art History.” Lumen, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/neoclassicism/.

Trapasso, Erica. “A Brief History of Rococo Art.” Artnet News, Artnet News, 10 Mar. 2015, https://news.artnet.com/market/a-brief-history-of-rococo-art-32790.


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