Liana Foxx

ART 1B

Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Century Art in Europe & North America: Neoclassicism
Early Romanticism in Britain: Trends in British Painting

Question: During the 18th and early 19th century, how did Neoclassical art in Europe and North America
reflect the values of the Enlightenment? On the other hand, how did Romanticism in British paintings contradict
the ideas of the Enlightenment during the same time period?

Thesis: I will be discussing how Neoclassical art in Europe and North America reflected the values of the
Enlightenment and how Romantic British paintings counteracted those ideas during the 18th and early 19th
century.
The eighteenth and early nineteenth century was a time where many radical changes occurred. The
Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a philosophical movement that dominated Europe during
this time. This led to the beliefs that people would be able to control their destinies by learning and following laws
of nature, which helped to establish the separation of church and state. Because of this, the artistic style of
Neoclassicism was created and connected classical aspects of art with the new ideas of the Enlightenment.
An example of Neoclassical art in Europe during this time that represents the ideals of the Enlightenment
is Jacques Louis Davids Oath of Horatii. This painting depicts three brothers saluting three swords being held
by their father and represents the story where Horatii is chosen by the Romans to defend his state, signifying a
promise of sacrifice. In the background you can see the women in his family crying, knowing what unfortunate
events may lie ahead. The men are presented in a geometric fashion, contrasting with the flowy poses of the
women and are lit with a stark light to heighten the drama of the scene. The virtuous behavior being displayed by
Horatii in the painting reflects a progressive outlook influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, in which
Horatii shows loyalty to the state as opposed to his family or the church.
These ideas established by the Enlightenment eventually made its way to North America. Through
classical architecture, Jefferson was able to convey democratic ideas in his construction of the Monticello. The
portico and the dome were influenced by the Ancient Greeks, which was the first place where a democracy was
established. Through this architectural structure, Jefferson was able to enforce ideas of democracy, education,
rationality, and civic responsibility, which reflected Enlightenment ideals.
Meanwhile, another artistic style emerged during this time known as Romanticism. Romanticism
emphasized the power of human emotion and exploration of the imagination and intuition as opposed to
knowledge and reason and was prominent in British painting during this time.
In Henry Fuselis The Nightmare, a woman bathed in a white light is shown stretched across her bed in
a dramatic pose with an incubus perched upon her chest. His use of composition and chiaroscuro in this piece
ultimately helps to depict the darker side of a humans subconscious mind and creates the themes of horror,
sexuality, and morbidity. This piece contrasts with the Neoclassical style presented in the artwork made during
this same time period since it presents an image from imagination instead of a moralizing subject. This painting
served as a great surprise to the public and horrified many, but ultimately became an icon in Romantic art.
What I want you to remember from this presentation is Neoclassical artwork in Europe and North
America represented the ideas of knowledge and reason established by the Enlightenment and how the emergence
of Romanticism in British paintings counteracted these ideas through focus on emotion and imagination.