Throughout history, art movements have been created in response to their predecessors.
Established in the mid-1700s, theNeoclassical movementis defined by an interest in classical (i.e.
Roman and Ancient Greece) aesthetics, principles, and subject matter.
The Neoclassical style had a major influence on painting, sculpture, architecture, and interior design.
It revived an interest in symmetry and simplicity that was applied across visual arts.
Scroll down to learn more about Neoclassical art and its characteristics.
Jacques-Louis David, “The Intervention of the Sabine Women,” 1799 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
What is Neoclassical Art?
His work,The Oath of the Horatiiembodies these traits.
For instance, it featuresclassical subject matterthat is based on a Roman legend about the three Horatii brothers.
Angelica Kauffmann, “Ariadne Abandoned by Theseus,” 1774 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Additionally, it is created with aharmonious compositionthat resembles the balance and clarity of a scene on stage.
Lastly, it exhibitsprecise draftsmanshipwith bold, strong lines and minimal ornamentation.
Artists of this style created sculptures inspired by classical and mythological subject matter.
Jacques-Louis David, “The Oath of the Horatii,” 1784–1785 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
They producedidealized figures with smooth contouring, resembling the statues from Athens and Rome, oftentimes on alife-size scale.
It utilized Ancient Greek and Roman details, impressivecolumns,geometric forms, anddomed or flat roofs.
During the French Revolution, he affiliated himself with Maximilien Robespierre and created art that supported his side.
Antonio Canova, “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss,” 1887 (Photo: Kimberly Vardeman viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 2.0)
His art had a far-reaching impact on Neoclassical artists across Europe.
His skills asone of the best draftsmenhelped him create compelling portraiture, most of which are his best-known works.
He created numerous large-scale marble sculptures inspired by classical mythology, with idealized figures in graceful compositions.
Panthéon in Paris, France (Photo: mix7777/DepositPhotos)
Jacques-Louis David, “Death of Marat,” 1793 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, “The Valpinçon Bather ,” 1808 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
Antonio Canova, “The Three Graces,” 1815–1817 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0)
