🏛️ NEOCLASSICISM
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THE NEOCLASSICAL AGE
NOBLE, CLEAR AND CLASSICAL!
In the late 1700s, Europe turned away from Rococo's pink parties and back toward Ancient Greece and Rome. This new style was called Neoclassicism, meaning a fresh return to classical ideals. The Enlightenment, an age of reason and learning, taught people to admire civic duty, self-control and heroic sacrifice. Artists painted clear, straight compositions with calm colours and noble subjects. Greek columns, Roman togas and stories of brave citizens filled canvases and sculptures. Neoclassical art rejected Rococo frivolity and asked viewers to be serious, patriotic and virtuous. It was art with a moral mission, dressed in the dignity of the ancient world.
🏛️ DID YOU KNOW?
Neo means new and classical means ancient Greek and Roman. Neoclassicism was a new art movement that looked back to the heroes and values of the ancient past.
VIRTUE!
ENLIGHTENMENT
💡 The Enlightenment praised reason, learning and good citizenship in the 1700s.
📜 Thinkers looked to ancient Rome and Greece as models of wisdom and virtue.
📜 Thinkers looked to ancient Rome and Greece as models of wisdom and virtue.
REJECTING ROCOCO
🎀 Critics called Rococo art too silly and selfish for a serious age.
⚖️ Neoclassicism replaced pink flirtation with duty, honour and sacrifice.
⚖️ Neoclassicism replaced pink flirtation with duty, honour and sacrifice.