Neoclassicism vs. Romaticism

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Both movements Neoclassicim and Romanticism flourished across Western Europe (especially in the north) and the United States, and to a lesser extent in Eastern Europe. As Neoclassicism turned to antiquity for its ideal models, so Romanticism yearned for an alternative to everyday reality, aspiring to the truth of the soul and the freedom of irrational impulses. The similarities between these two stylistic trends became more obvious during the decades leading into the 19th century, at which point they more or less coincided. Neoclassicism and Romanticism are two sides of the same coin - both movements reacted to the extravagance of the Rococo style by returning to human values, but Neoclassicism was driven purely by reason, Romanticism was motivated and led by emotion. The longing for a distant and seemingly more appealing age is a fundamentally Romantic notion. A powerful and emotional undercurrent finds its way into the paintings of David, particularly in his depictions of individual pathos, more usually in female subjects. 

Neoclassicism: The artists wanted a style that could convey serious moral ideas such as: justice, honor, and patriotism. Neoclassicism appealed to artists who were supportive of the French Revolution, as it allowed them to draw upon the democratic legacy of ancient Greece and Rome. Such artists included Jacques-Louis David, the foremost neoclassical painter. His first great work was Oath of the Horatii, which depicts three legendary warriors pledging allegiance to the Roman Republic.

Jacques Louis-David, Oath of the Horatii, 1784-1785, Oil on Canvas

Romanticism: It was about wildness and expression rather than control. Romantic artists had no fixed laws relating to beauty and properties of subject matter. Instead, Romanticism was a creative outlook, a way of life. France had two primary Romantic masters. The first was Théodore Géricault, whose masterpiece The Raft of the Medusa portrays the terrible struggle of the victims of a contemporary shipwreck. The people on this raft were French emigrants, who had left their homeland for a new life in West Africa. When the ship foundered at sea, the captain and crew seized the lifeboats; the colonists (who numbered over a hundred) were abandoned on a makeshift raft, with little water or food. By the time a rescue ship arrived, fifteen colonists remained alive.

 

Theodore Gericault, The Raft of the Medusa, 1818–1819, oil painting
 

The differences between the two vary between values, inspiration, tone and technique such as; values in neoclassicism focus on order and solemnity; romanticism values are in intuition, emotion and imagination. The inspirations in neoclassicism are classical Rome, patriotism, courage and honor; in romanticism the inspiration is in Medieval and Baroque eras, middle and Far East. The tone of neoclassicism is calm and rational; romantic tones are subjective, spontaneous and non-conformist. The techniques in neoclassicism are stressed drawing with lines, not color and no trace of brush stroke; romanticism techniques are unrestrained, rich color and visible brushstrokes.

Neoclassicism a product of the 17th century began as homage to the past. Individuals in this period valued the culture and creative works produced by storied civilizations like those in ancient Greece and Rome. Romanticism, on the other hand, arose in the 18th century as a response and an alternative to classicism. As such, this movement placed more focus on appreciation of the exotic and the different. Due to these varied outlooks, the subjects and styles of neoclassicism and romanticism often diverge. Neoclassical works faithfully adhered to past templates for structure. Romanticists, however, were more experimental in their literary approaches.  In addition, realism versus idealism emerged as a key difference between neoclassicism and romanticism. Characters in neoclassical works were usually moderate and non-controversial, and plots adhered strongly to traditional themes. Meanwhile, romantic works idealized humans somewhat by promoting human innocence and the idea of a so-called noble savage unhindered by modern evils. Non-conformists and rebels were somewhat celebrated in romantic literature as well.

These approaches also highlight the divergent emphasis in neoclassicism and romanticism concerning society and the individual.  Neoclassicism was a widespread and influential movement in painting and the other visual arts that began in the 1760’s, reached its height in the 1780’s and '90’s, and lasted until the 1840’s and '50’s. In painting it generally took the form of an emphasis on austere linear design in the depiction of classical themes and subject matter, using archaeologically correct settings and costumes. Neoclassicism as generally manifested in European painting by the 1790’s emphasized the qualities of outline and linear design over those of color, atmosphere, and effects of light. Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1840. Partly a reaction to the Revolution, it was also a revolt against aristocratic social and political and a reaction against the scientific of nature. Defining the nature of Romanticism may be approached from the starting point of the primary importance of the free expression of the feelings of the artist.

for more information:

http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/western-painting/neoclassical-and-romantic-painting/

Work Cited:

“Neoclassical Art and Architecture”, Encarta.  May 2009
“Painting: Neoclassical Painting”, Encarta.  May 2009