Neoclassicism
Classicism called art-historical era in German-speaking about the period 1770-1840. Classicism replaced the Baroque. A form of classicism is the Biedermeier period. The epoch was accompanied in painting and literature of the Romantic period and replaced in architecture from historicism.
In relation to the Baroque classicism can be regarded as an artistic counter-program. Towards the end of the 18th century he arrived after an initial phase of coexistence through the ongoing discussions about the aesthetic ideals of the Baroque for supremacy. Classicism in architecture is based on the canon of the Greek temple building, is partly inspired but also to the Italian Early Renaissance to.
Outside the German-speaking area of classicism is called " neoclassicism ", on the other hand refers to neoclassicism in the German classicist tendencies in the 20th century.
Term
The term is also used in the sense of an artistic recourse to ancient Greek or Roman models its use. So since the 17th century, he joined the European arts in different currents, issues and different regional styles in architecture, painting and sculpture in appearance (see Classicisme ).
The term is the European language area ambiguous and usually does not refer to one and the same period of art. We are talking, for example, the architecture of Palladio (1508-1580) and his successor as classicism (see Palladian ). As Classicism you also designate the art of France, Holland and England in the 17th century. Since the Renaissance, classical undercurrents that were in effect always in the Baroque period incurred. Particularly pronounced this flow is in France and England (see classicist Baroque). So is the term used Neo - Classicism for the designated as classicism in German-speaking era in England, France, Spain and Italy, which was taken partly in German.
Historical Development
Early Classical
In the late 18th century classicism with a purifizierenden simplification of forms was seen as a counter-model to the art of the Baroque, which was associated with feudalism. Compared with the previous Rococo, the classicism is characterized by a return to straight, clean lines and a stronger reference to classic antique models.
As the spiritual founder of the German-speaking applies Johann Joachim Winckelmann.
"The only way for us, great, even if it is possible to be inimitable, is to imitate the ancients. "
" The general excellent characteristics of the Greek masterpieces is finally a noble simplicity and quiet greatness, both in the position as in prints. Just as the depths of the sea always remains calm, the surface matter how raging, as sheweth the expression in the figures of the Greeks in all passions and set a great soul. "
The transition from late baroque to classicism forms is sometimes referred to, particularly in the older German art history as Louis XVI style. It is named after the braid in which the baroque flower garland is reduced to a thin band.
In France, the era of classicism, which is referred to in France as neo - classicism begins towards the end of the reign of Louis XV. The comparable style called Louis XVI ( pre-revolutionary classicism ). During a transitional period from 1750 to 1760, which is referred to as a transition style, find both elements of the Rococo, the goût pittoresque and classic forms of use. The early classicism is referred to in France as goût grec, goes to 1770 in the goût Etrusque of Louis XVI from the reign of Louis XVI. about.
In Austria, this coincides with the reign of Joseph II, who also initiated new construction projects ( churches for new parishes, hospitals, public schools and parks; see Josephinism ).
In the UK we call the early classical period Late Georgian.
The classicism of the Revolution and the Empire
From the 1790s classicism was known as the " style of the revolution", especially in architecture, where massive forms are preferred. With the recognition of the Revolution by Napoleon Bonaparte, it comes into more decorative Empire style, which propagates with the reign of the emperor over the whole of Western Europe. Even Jacques -Louis David, the founder of classicism in painting, is the trailer of the Revolution and then Napoleon's court painter.
In the UK, we group this time as Regency together ( after the reign of the Prince Regent and future King George IV ).
Time of the Restoration
The architecture and paintings of the Biedermeier represents him is against another twist into Decorative, which nonetheless means no fundamental aesthetic aversion. In painting, this aesthetic holds up in the 1870s, in architecture it is already asked in the first half of the century by alternative designs, the earliest of the Gothic Revival in question. Socially, the new designs with the rising middle class and its desires are associated for representation. Paul Sprenger, an important representative of the late neoclassical architecture in Austria, was actually referred to as " Metternich of architecture".
Transition to historicism
Around the middle of the 19th century a development from Classicism through to historicism. A formative style shape of this transition is the round arch style, beginning around 1828, theoretically substantiated "In what style should we build? " By Scripture ushered in by Henry Pretty, a first stylistic transformation of classicism.
Demarcation to historicism
The definition of classicism to historicism is neither chronologically or stylistically very simple. On the one hand, classicism is itself a " historicizing " style, which is based on the antiquity and its interpretation in the Renaissance. On the other hand, shares of historicism in part the same repertoire, particularly evident in the neo-Renaissance. Add to that that the late classicism quite a preference for certain forms of decoration, such as from the Byzantine or Arab art shows. The basic feature of historicism is then not so much the " detachment " from classicism, but his insertion into a pluralistic canon of styles - hence the alternative term eclecticism. The most striking difference is the much larger Dekorfreudigkeit the historicist buildings and equipment, which the newly rich in the period of the bourgeoisie rather than appealed to the Spartan style of the first half of the century.
As a transitional structure between classicism and historicism in Austria applies the Altlerchenfelder parish church, whose construction involves a debate over the "right style " was performed, which already announces the mindset of historicism.
Differences to historicism
The programmatic focus on classical antiquity distinguishes the classicism of historicism.
In contrast to classicism, historicism relies on numerous other movements: Neo-Romanesque, Gothic Revival, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Neo-Rococo. Similarly, a reinterpretation of itself exists in Neohistorismus. Furthermore, the classicism is the turn of the 19th to the 20th century neoclassicism than a rebirth.
In the historicism of reference missing on the theoretical concepts as they have developed about Vitruvius and other Roman architectural historian, and which are placed as cannon based in classicism. The access of historicism to classic antique-style formal language is eclectic and limited to formal aspects.
Painting of classicism
In painting, the artist broke from the allegorical program of the Baroque period and painted scenes from Greek and Roman antiquity, often a "patriotic" have a deeper meaning. The contours are clearer and the pasty color disappears in favor of a flat color application. The coloristic aspects of painting fell by the wayside. In color a strict classicist in principle could also do without. A clearly manageable and harmonious composition of the figures, a quiet tempo prevails in all the gestures.
In illustrations outline etchings are characteristic of classicism.
- Paintings of classicism
Jacques -Louis David: The Oath of the Horatii, 1784
Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein: Goethe in the Campagna, 1786/87
François Gérard: Portrait of Julie Recamier, 1802
Joseph Anton Koch: Heroic Landscape with Rainbow 1805
Architecture of classicism
The architecture of classicism is more oriented than previous styles of the ancient building, mainly Greek models. Portico and columns order are now more common. Applies the style in bourgeois representational, but also for buildings in traditional building techniques as in the half-timbered building. Less common are classical churches, this is the octagonal Tower of the Winds or the Pantheon as a model.
Artist of classicism
Artists who are assigned to the classicism, see:
- Category: Architect of classicism
- Category: Sculptor of classicism
- Category: Painters of classicism