Classicism/Neo classicism

So far the most confusing (not that the other two have been straight forward). It has been very difficult to get a list of facts that don’t refer to an alliance with or reaction to some other ‘ism’, for example, the general consensus is that romanticism  was a reaction classicism (19th century) and mannerism was a reaction to classicism (16th century).

So instead of worrying about it too much I am just going to do classicism very quickly .....here goes



10 pieces of information

1)From classical antiquity – Ancient Greek and Roman Art – architecture (remember Ionic, doric Corinthian columns from Ancient History) . Adopted the idea of the golden section/triangle from the Egyptians.

2)Predominately associated with the Renaissance – 16th and 17th Century – (technically this should be 'neo classicism' but alas is often considered the 'height of classicism')

3)Orderliness/Predictability

4)Harmony/Clarity/Restraint

5)Form/simplicity

6)Geometry/grids (golden triangle)

7) The pre Raphaelites were Neo Classicists.

8) Therefore Raphael highlights the type of Art know as Classicism/Neo Classicism during the Renaissance that rekindled the appreciation of draftsman ship, composition and restraint.

Raphael's - the crucifixtion (c 15010)

highlighting 'classic' composition based on golden triangle and pentagrams

9) The European ‘Academies’ highly valued Raphael as an example of the classical ideal. In fact he was even valued over Michelangelo who was considered too emotional.

10)Popular use of the term ‘classic’ or ‘classical’ has interesting connotations. The implication is that there is some inherently good/better value attributed to art described as classical.

Artists include –Raphael, Nicolas Poussin, Charles Le Brun

Poussin - Midas and Bacchus

Le brun - Alexander in Babylon

So what is next?........CUBISM.