Chapter 3.7 Art of and America (1700–1900) PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT Introduction Europe 1750-1880 ▪ Period of social, economic, and political upheaval

◆ Governments by and for the people replaced absolute monarchies • American Revolution, 1776 and , 1879 th th ◆ , 18 and 19 centuries ▪ Period also known as the and the Age of Reason

◆ Reason over faith-scientific proof

◆ Liberty over tyranny

◆ Equality

◆ Scientific exploration

Gateways to Art: Understanding the , Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields Chapter 3.7 and America (1700–1900) PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT 1700-1750 ▪ Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries

◆ Power and extravagance of the European nobility

◆ Stylistic characteristics:

◆ Light-hearted subject matter

◆ Whimsical, flirtatious, often silly

◆ Ornamental and opulent

◆ Pastel colors, ,

◆ Decorative in feeling and visually, too

◆ Amusements of the aristocracy

Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1766. Oil on canvas, 31⅞ × 25¼”. , London, Chapter 3.7 Art of Europe and America (1700–1900) PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing ▪ Flirtatious encounter

◆ She kicks off her shoe as she swings

◆ “Gentleman” has view up her dress

◆ statue puts his finger to his lips, suggesting this is a secretive relationship ▪

◆ Either oblivious to or supportive of the encounter

◆ Could be a judgment on the church’s role in society

Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields Francois Boucher Cupid a Captive 1754 Pilgrmage to Cythera 1717 –Fete galante painting (amorous festival) outdoor entertainments and amusements of the Aristocracy Chapter 3.7 Art of Europe and America (1700–1900) PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT ▪ Harkens back to ancient and -in ▪ Characteristics of artworks:

◆ Exemplify civic responsibility

◆ Convey a moral message

◆ Stable compositions

◆ Idealized bodies

◆ Classical

◆ Heroic subject matter

◆ Tells a story or a relates a message on morality

◆ “Natural” art- realistically portrayed as in nature

◆ Often sermonizing and austere

Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields Jacques-Louis , The , 1784. Oil on canvas, 10’10” × 13’11⅜”. Musée du , , Chapter 3.7 Art of Europe and America (1700–1900) PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT

Jacques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii

▪ Jacques-Louis David

◆ History painter who painted for monarchy, revolutionaries, and ▪ Oath of the Horatii

◆ Roman story, Roman archways, Roman

◆ Brothers vow allegiance to their father and to Rome

◆ Shows sacrifice for civic duty

Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, M. Kathryn Shields Jacques Louis David Death of Marat 1793 Marat was an extremist supporter of the Revolution – helped start the Reign of Terror. Marat was killed in the bath by Charlotte Corday- gained entrance to Marat's house on the pretense of presenting him a list of people who enemies of France. Marat said they would be guillotined next week upon which Corday immediately fatally stabbed him. She was guillotined shortly thereafter. David was a very politically involved artist. At first a supporter of the monarchy, then of the Revolution, then supported and was even involved in the Reign of Terror. Later, a supporter of Napoleon. At the last, he exiled himself to . Jacques Louis David Napoleon at the Saint Bernard Pass Or Napoleon Crossing the Alps 1801 Sir Joshua Reynolds Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse 1784 Sir Joshua Reynolds Lord Heathfield 1787 The Grand Manner Portraiture

Where the rich and aristocratic are imbued with noble, heroic postures. Agrippina Landing at Brundisium with the Ashes of Germanicus 1768 Benjamin West Death of General Wolfe 1771 Wolfe died just as victory was claimed for the British over the French for Canada , Monticello

Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, 1769–1809, Charlottesville, Virginia Chapter 3.7 Art of Europe and America (1700–1865): Rococo to PART 3 HISTORY AND CONTEXT Thomas Jefferson, Monticello

▪ New American cities (late 18th century) chose Neoclassical architecture for the ideals it represented ▪ Stylistically, the orderly, intellectual attitude, the air of calm, the sense of permanence and legitimacy ▪ Classical architectural elements: arches, , , Roman , Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts, Third Edition, Debra J. DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, and M. Kathryn Shields