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Overview
What is Neoclassicism?
c. 1760 – 1830Period
Rome and ParisBegan in
12Key artists on this page
12Works with free images
6Museums to visit
Neoclassicism, also spelled Neo-classicism, emerged as a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. Neoclassicism was born in Rome, largely due to the writings of Johann Joachim Winckelmann during the rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Its popularity expanded throughout Europe as a generation of European art students finished their Grand Tour and returned from Italy to their home countries with newly rediscovered Greco-Roman ideals. The main Neoclassical movement emerged from the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment, and reached its peak in the early-to-mid-19th century, eventually competing with Romanticism. In architecture, the style endured throughout the 19th, 20th, and into the 21st century. European Neoclassicism in the visual arts began c. 1760 in opposition to the dominant Rococo style.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
A nineteenth century French art style and movement that originated as a reaction to the Baroque. It sought to revive the ideals of ancient Greek and Roman art. Neoclassic artists used classical forms to express their ideas about courage, sacrifice, and love of country. David and Canova are examples of neo-classicists.
Statue of Liberty by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, 1886 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Period
c. 1760 – 1830
Began in
Rome and Paris
Key artists
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Jacques-Louis David, Joshua Reynolds, Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun
Related
Romanticism, Rococo, Hudson River School
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Neoclassicism
Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome and by the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum
Clear outlines, smooth finish and calm, balanced compositions
Serious moral and patriotic subjects from ancient history
A reaction against the frivolity of the Rococo
Sculpture in pure white marble
Timeline
When was Neoclassicism?
Neoclassicism is usually dated c. 1760 – 1830, beginning in Rome and Paris. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
A return to the clarity, order and restraint of ancient Greek and Roman art.
When was Neoclassicism?
Neoclassicism: c. 1760 – 1830. It began in Rome and Paris. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Neoclassicism?
Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome and by the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum; Clear outlines, smooth finish and calm, balanced compositions; Serious moral and patriotic subjects from ancient history; A reaction against the frivolity of the Rococo; Sculpture in pure white marble.
Who are the most famous Neoclassicism artists?
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Jacques-Louis David, Joshua Reynolds, Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, Antonio Canova.
What are some famous Neoclassicism works?
Statue of Liberty by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi; The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David; Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David; The Source by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres; Lion Monument by Bertel Thorvaldsen.
Where can I see Neoclassicism art?
Department of Paintings of the Louvre (France), Château de Malmaison (Rueil-Malmaison, France), Department of Sculptures of the Louvre (France), Galleria Borghese (Rome, Italy), Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain) hold works shown on this page.
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