The French Revolution’s Influence on Art
The French Revolution (1789 – 1799) was a decade of the transformation of a whole society, which includes the arts in this society. In this essay, we will see what impact the French Revolution had on the arts.
“The French Revolution was flanked by two artistic styles, Rococo and Neoclassicism” (Oxford, n.d.)
Rococo
Rococo was an exuberantly decorative European style which had its origins in the French Royal Court. King Louis XV of France decreed in around 1710 that the arts should be softer, lighter and playful. He wanted to encourage artists to move away from the geometrical designs so much supported by his predecessor, King Louis XIV.
The artists responded and created not only playful scenes on
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They created erotic mythological and genre scenes. Jean-Siméon Chardin also contributed during the Rococo age, but with more morally instructive works.
Neoclassicism
“Leading up to and following the French Revolution, Neoclassicism was the predominant artistic style in France (and in Europe and the USA from about 1750 to 1830)” (Oxford n.d.). While the aristocracy in France indulged in frivolous lifestyles which were expressed in the Rococo art style, the commoners reacted to that by supporting the Neoclassic art style.
They looked and Nicolas Poussin for inspiration and “believed that art should be cerebral, not sensual” (Kahn, n.d.). They despised the immorality of the Royal Court and the upper classes and wanted to restore to France a more serious and rational lifestyle. This is evident in the work of Jacques-Louis David when he created the Oath of the Horatii.
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Political emotions were running high, and the Oath of the Horatii added fuel to the fire. The people wanted a Republic without the monarchy’s wastefulness. Nationalism was stirred and the French were ready to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of capturing control from the monarchy and ruling
One of the painting that represents a main part of the french revolution is the Tennis Court Oath painting. The title itself is refers to a period of time from the revolution. During this time the people of France Were angry because of all the taxes they
At this time Paris was fun and careless before the French Revolution of 1789 released its horrors on it. But the outbreak of the revolution changed everything, and with all of the violence around, she fled France with her daughter to find safety in Italy (Moffat and Mossman). When she returned, Paris was a completely different place. However, the demand for her art had not changed. Vigee Le Brun is considered a painter of the rococo period. Rococo is best described as an eighteenth century art style that places importance on the carefree life rather than grand heroes. Originally the rococo fashion started in Paris, where Vigee Le Brun was born. It changed the way people looked at art and the world in general (Bleiberg). Vigee Le Brun not only used the rococo style in her art, but also to influence fashion, persuading women to wear simple, high waist shifts, which would be an important stepping stone in changing fashion forever. By refusing to put powder in her hair, she made being natural beautiful. If it weren’t for her innovations we might still be wearing Victorian gowns and wigs. She made fashion and styles for young women, such as herself, more daring and interesting (Steadman).
The French Revolution was a chaotic time of blood, death, and fear. Though there were many negative outcomes and events of the Revolution, it big change to sweep across France. The Revolution began in the middle of 1789 with the swearing of the Tennis Court Oath, in which members of the third estate, as well as some from the first and second estates, swore that they would not go anywhere until they had written a constitution for France. Then, the Revolution really took off, and continued on for years. Many people influenced the Revolution, such as Marat and Robespierre. The death of Marat was another event that had a large influence on the Revolution, as though he had caused lots of deaths, he was stilled viewed as a hero by most. Looking at the two paintings “The Tennis Court Oath,” and “The Death of Marat,” “The Tennis Court Oath” depicts a more significant and relevant event, as this was the event to really cause the French Revolution to take off.
One of the 1st proofs for their problems with the politics in France was, “In order to assure the 3rd estate the influence it deserves because of its numbers… its votes in the assembly should be taken by head…(Doc. 3 “Cahiers”) This excerpt from document 3 explains that the 3rd estates wants more power in government and politics due to the amount of number of people. The purpose for this, is so that they have a say in government and will not get outvoted by the 1st and 2nd estate who have majority of the power during the ancient regime. Another example of the politics in France is in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen (1789), “ Liberty consists in being to do anything that does not arm another person.” (Doc 8, Rule 4 of Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen).
The French Revolution was a violent and a transitional period in French history that shook both the continent of Europe and France itself. The French Revolution stemmed from a vast set of motives. The influences of the French Revolution were both internal due to the government of France, political divides, and an impoverished economy from wars and also externally from Enlightenment philosophy and the outcome of the American Revolution (Schwartz, “The French Revolution: Causes, Outcomes, Conflicting Interpretations.”Causes of the French Revolution). The results of the French Revolution are incalculable and can be influential today; however, there were immediate consequences that changed french culture, politics and government.
The French Revolution also transformed the artistic style from the Rococo to the Neoclassical and Romantic. The Rococo style was quite similar to the baroque, whereby aristocrats
By 1789, the French were suffering under severe financial conditions. Many people were fed up by the way King Louis XVI was ruling France and demanded for liberty and equality. Soon many revolutionaries rose to power as a result of Louis failing to better the economic and political situation.
The French Revolution has a great impact both on the neoclassical and the romantic styles int he 1800’s years. However the assignment description asks how the art had the impact ont he Revolution, I think it happened int he other way, not just because most of the paintings were created after the revolution, but also the fact that these paintings are showing the great, main events of the revolution, so it should be happened first then someone could paint it only.
Before the 1800’s, Europe went through many trials of major events, both good and bad, that gave people new outlooks on the world and changed many of their lives. In particular, the way art was developed and appreciated changed dramatically in most part because of the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. Soon enough art would become a way for people, (even those without high-level education) to express themselves. The new styles of architecture and visual arts that Napoleon introduced in France sparked new eras of art like Romanticism that he used to make himself popular; it caused Napoleon to be noticed, not just because of his military conquests, but also because of his artistic vision and innovation.
The French Revolution and the Neoclassical and Romantic art movements helped each other to grow and changed the layout and structure of France's government and monarchy forever. Some art was commissioned by the monarchy to spread their values and beliefs, and some art helped to inspire change among the people of France to destroy the monarchy. This relationship between the two was very dynamic, and it can't truly be unanimously stated that one influenced the other more.
Rococo works were usually commissioned by wealthy French nobility. Following the death of King Louis XIV, The Sun King, the ruling estates of France began an orgy of corruption. While the first and second estates were spending fortunes on Rococo paintings and architecture, the third estate was hypnotized by the works from philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire. The French nobility refused to implement the Enlightenment policies that were spreading across Europe. Seeing their stubbornness, the French masses began the decades long disaster that was the French Revolution. With Rococo completely left in the dust bin of history, Neoclassicism took its place, especially in France, where Jacobin rulers and Napoleon used Neoclassicist arts to their advantage to secure their power. Neoclassicist artists, like Renaissance artists, began to explore the depth and complexity of Greek and Roman works and create pieces inspired by these works. Exaggerated war paintings, such as the Death of General Wolfe or the Oath of the Horatii are prime Neoclassicism works and are prime products of the
The French Revolution (1789–1799) was bordered by two artistic styles, Rococo and Neo-classicism. Before and after the French Revolution, Neo-classicism was the main artistic style in France, Europe and the USA from about 1750 to 1830. This classical revitalization of the later 18th century was characteristic for its emphasis on archaeological accuracy, the result of the period's unprecedented level of knowledge of the art and architecture of the ancient world. The heroic phase of Neo-classical painting resulted in Jacques-Louis David’s most pivotal works, Death of Marat and Oath of the Horatii. These works personified the Enlightenment thought of Diderot, Voltaire, and Rousseau, namely the ideas of basic human rights, modern scientific investigation, rationalism and moral rectitude. In its purest form it is a style principally derived from the architecture of Classical Greece and the architecture of Italian Andrea Palladio. In form, neoclassical architecture emphasizes the wall rather than separate identities to each of its parts. In the sixteenth century, France was in turmoil. The Renaissance in France began in a different way than in countries at peace. In France there was a civil war between Catholics and Protestants. This civil anxiety lasted until 1594 when Henri IV converted
Prevalent throughout 18th-century Europe, Rococo affected many areas of the art world. Rococo art grew in popularity shortly after the death of King Louis XIV. After the king’s passing, most of the french court moved away from their homes in Versailles and returned to their former homes in Paris. As the former court members moved away from their Versailles homes, new artistic interests and ideas were introduced. Seeking a new start, the former french court began by re-decorating their new Parisian mansions. During the reign of Louis XIV art was more traditional with rich and bold colors, but after his death art began to transition into a more calming and graceful era. Rococo art reflected this in its charming and elegant style, with asymmetrical lines that were inspired by classical themes such as love, youth, and myths of the time.
The revolution was a social and cultural phenomenon that changed how people saw the world and how they lived and interacted with others. The ideas and values of the revolution were expressed in many ways: through the visual arts, literature, music and popular culture – but also in the ways that people lived, dressed and communicated. French revolutionary culture was dominated by ideas of nationalism, progress, social unity and equal rights. The culture, style and visual symbols of the French Revolution were not simply an expression of ideas, they were also used to demonstrate one’s loyalty to the revolution. As the revolution radicalised, public shows of loyalty became particularly important; the willingness of an individual to immerse themselves in revolutionary culture might well save their
The Seventeenth Century was a new era for painters. This era was unique and known for its variety and new styles. France at the time was an absolute monarchy, a lot of the power is consolidated with the single ruler, the king. France became a very dominant artistic force in the Europe and western Culture replacing Italy and developing a much newer artistic catalog with their Art Academies where a lot of categories came in such as history painting, portrait painting and gender painting. France at the time was a class separation where the society was much divided. Government life was under the fifth republic and now more than ever after King Louis was declared new ruler of France.