Chapter 11.2: Neoclassicism, 1750-1820

The imitation or use primarily of the style and aesthetic principles of ancient Greek and Roman classical art. The interest is in nationalism and heroism in the context of history, literature and mythology from the Classics.

Some of the Artists involved: John Nash, Jaques-Louis David, John Flaxman, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen, Horatio Greenough, Hiram Powers. Jacques-Louis David Jacques-Louis David, (1748, Paris, France) was a neoclassical painter who aligned himself with a number of French Revolutionary leaders and supported their efforts through paintings that glorified and promoted their rebel actions. By 1793, the violence of the Revolution dramatically increased until the beheadings at the Place de la Concorde in Paris became a constant. At the height of the Reign of Terror in 1793, David painted a memorial to his great friend, the murdered publisher, Jean Marat (seen in the gallery below).

Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David, (1748, Paris, France) was a neoclassical painter who aligned himself with a number of French Revolutionary leaders and supported their efforts through paintings that glorified and promoted their rebel actions. By 1793, the violence of the Revolution dramatically increased until the beheadings at the Place de la Concorde in Paris became a constant. At the height of the Reign of Terror in 1793, David painted a memorial to his great friend, the murdered publisher, Jean Marat.

Jean-Dominique Ingres

As the best-known student of David, we can see the Neoclassical style continue with Jean Dominique Ingres.

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