Rococo and Neoclassical Style

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The Rococo art style in the 18th was a decorative style of art that originated in the hotels and salons of Paris. S and C curves, shells, wings, scrolls, plant tendril forms, and cartouches meaning elaborate frame, all distinguished Rococo. However, the Neoclassicism art style in the late 18th century portrayed the middle class society and unlike the composition of Rococo painted ceilings, its composition is simpler with limited figures. The Rococo and Neoclassical styles of art were both influenced by European life, reflected Europe’s culture, and had different political and social themes.

The Industrial Revolution that took place in the 1800’s was a radical change that began in England and soon enough had spread through Europe and America. As a result, social, political, and economical transformations took place and art shifted in style and subject themes flourished. The Philosophes, which were philosophers who dominated the French Enlightment and visited salons, contributed to the development of art criticism. The Rococo artistic style reflects the merriness that the wealthy people decorated their homes with, while the Neoclassical art style focused more on the middle class people and was distinguished by Western art and culture of Ancient Greece or Rome. The culture helped shape the Neoclassicism art style that represented the growth of a civilized society. The Rococo art style in the 18th century depicted domestic life in the upper class, elegantly well dress aristocrats, and mythological themes. Neoclassicism on the other hand saw the rise of Greek and Roman classical themes as more of their culture was revealed. The Neoclassicism art style was also incorporated in paintings that had to do with the Revoluti...

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...ice. In many ways this picture fits in with ideas that were around the revolution that only men had the capability of sacrificing for the state of being true citizens. This depicts that the problems of life really struck artists to paint what was going on around them. David shows the figures posing with strong powerful gestures to enhance the emotionalism.

The central column that extends to the top of the painting is shown to separate Brutus from his family and emphasize the distance between them.

Both the Rococo and Neoclassical style of art portrayed how society lived. Neoclassicm was based on its trademarks, balance, and order, which may have associated in how art was viewed by the public. Some Neoclassical paintings depicted balance and order among society and political issues. The Rococo style on the other hand, deals with the pleasures of the upper class.

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