Neoclassicism Paintings

The neoclassic time period was from 1750-1830. This term literally means 'new classic' so we can assume that we are talking about some kind of rebirth. In fact this rebirth is of ancient Greek, Roman, and Renaissance art-especially paintings. This movement spread across Western Europe, but was only really used in France and England to express nationalism, courage, and sacrifice. This is due to the fact that during the late 1700's England was fighting the U.S. rebels who were trying to make the 13 colonies into a free nation. Also later on England fought the Americans in the war of 1812 and lost. So we can imagine that their paintings would show the bravery of their soldiers fighting the evil American savages. It's funny because later on, about 100 years later, England and the United States are best friends. Can we expect another British invasion anytime soon? But back to the topic. Neoclassic painting emphasized  rationality and traditional styles. Most figures were that of ancient Greek subjects from myths and liturature like the Illiad and the Odyssey. these artistists of the time took great care to try and depict scenes as accurate as possible based on those myths and peices of liturature. Here is a sample of a Neoclassic painting:

Napoleon Crossing the Alps

By: Jacques-Louis David

Although I only mentioned the English wars, Napoleon was on the move as well in France. He was conquring territory quickly and eventually controlled much of Europe before his exile. This painting depicts Napoleon as a man of men. He is telling his troops to continue onward through the Alps, a mountain range in switzerland, to get to Genoa in Italy to reinforce it for an Austrian attack. He didn't make it in time but eventually beat the Austrians out of Italy and regained control. This painting shows the paitriotism of the french, showing their armies diligently moving to protect France and it's territories from invading nations. It makes Napoleon look like an awsome guy, one worth fighting for as he is in front of the army and bravly moving through the snow covered mountains, risking his own life and limbs for the saftey of France. This painting, if you noticed, also doesn't emphasize color and shadow. The colors on the horse, where they are darkened, shouldn't be that color. Also the shadow is virtually non-existant. This is the effect of neoclassical paintings. Much of the emphasis is on the actual shapes and the realistic conditions and atire of the scene. So from this we see the revertion of Extreme realistic paintings to a more object/scene focused subject. And this the the Neoclassic time period.