REVIEWER NEO-CLASSICAL SCULPTORS

ANTONIO CANOVA
NEOCLASSICISM, 1780-1840 (1757-1822) Italy
The word neoclassic came from the Greek word neos meaning new Canova was a prolific Italian artist and sculptor who became famous
and the Latin word classicus which is similar in meaning to the for his marble sculptures that delicately rendered nude flesh.
English phrase first class. He opened the idea for portraying discrete sexual pleasures by using
The Western movement in decorative and visual arts was called pure contours with his mythological compositions.
Neoclassicism. It also applies to literature, theater, music, and Famous artworks:
architecture that were influenced by the classical art and culture of -PSYCHE AWAKENED BY CUPID’S KISS
Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. -WASHINGTON
Neoclassical art pieces such as paintings, sculpture and architecture
generally portrayed Roman history which elevated the Roman BERTEL THORVALDSEN
heroes. (1789-1838) Denmark
Thorvaldsen was the first internationally acclaimed Danish artist. He
Characteristics: executed sculptures of mythological and religious themes characters.
- portrayal of Roman history Famous Artworks:
- formal composition -Lion of Lucerne
- the use of diagonals to show the peak of an emotion or moment -Christ
(versus a regular moment) NEOCLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
- local color Types of Neoclassical Architecture:
- overall lighting TEMPLE STYLE
- classic geo-structure Temple style building design was based on an ancient temple. These
buildings were uncommon during the Renaissance as architects of
Neoclassicism: that period focused mainly on applying classical elements to
This is the renewed interest in classical ideals and forms that churches and modern buildings like palazzos and villas.
influenced European and American society through idea, politics and Many temple style buildings feature a peristyle (a continuous line of
fine arts during the 18th and 19th century. It also refers to the art columns around a building), a rare feature of Renaissance
forms created after but inspired by the ancient times. This period was architecture.
derived from the Classicism movement PALLADIAN STYLE
Palladian buildings were based on Andrea Palladio’s style of villa
NEOCLASSICAL PAINTING construction. Some of the buildings feature a balustrade which is a
NEO-CLASSICAL ARTISTS railing with vertical supports along the edge of the roof. There are
There are a number of neo-classical artists from Europe and the vertical supports within a balustrade known as “balusters” or
United States. Below are some of them: spindles”. It is also a classical method of crowning a building that has
JACQUES-LOUIS DAVID a flat or low lying roof. One of the famous architects in the era was:
(1748-1825) France ROBERT ADAM
Jacques-Louis David was an influential French painter in the (1728-1792) Britain
Neoclassical style, and considered to be the pre-eminent painter of He was known as the Palladian architect of the Neoclassical who
the era. His subjects of paintings were more on history. designed two well-known American civic buildings- The White House
FAMOUS ARTWORKS and the United States Capitol. He had also designed many country
-The Death of Marat houses.
-Napoleon Crossing the Alps CLASSICAL BLOCK STYLE
-Oath of the Horatii The building features a rectangular or square plan, with a flat roof
and an exterior rich in classical detail. The exterior features a
JEAN-AUGUSTE-DOMINIQUE INGRES repeated classical pattern or series of arches and/or columns. The
(1780-1867) France overall impression of such a building was a huge, classically-
Ingres was a pupil of Jacques-Louis David. He was influenced by decorated rectangular block.
Italian Renaissance painters like Raphael, Nicolas Pousin, Classical block aesthetic was also known as “Beaux-Arts style”,
Botticelli, and his mentor, Jacques-Louis David. since it was developed principally by the French École des Beaux-
His paintings were usually nudes, portraits and mythological themes. Arts (School of Fine Arts).
He was regarded as one of the great exemplars of academic art and Classical block architecture also flourished in the United States,
one of the finest Old Masters of his era. particularly in New York.
Famous Architects of this architectural style were:
FAMOUS ARTWORKS A. HENRI LABROUSTE - His masterpiece is the Library of Sainte-
-Napoleon sitting on the imperial throne Geneviève
-Apotheosis of Homer
B. CHARLES GARNIER – He designed the most famous classical
NEOCLASSICAL SCULPTURES block of all which is the Palais Garnier (a Neobaroque opera house).