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Period: to
European Art and Political Ideologies
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François Boucher, “Portrait of Madame de Pompadour”.
The age of Absolutism took place from 1650-1720. This period saw the absolute power of the monarch with the support of his nobility. The rulers of Europe were in the process of continuing to extend their power throughout the state. The portrait of Madame de Pompadour envokes Absolutism as she was a loyal member of the French court during the reign of Louis XV. Her loyal meant she accepted Louis XV as the absolute monarch, which resulted in her guaranteed status. -
Caspar David Friedrich, “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog”.
Liberalism flourished during the nineteenth century alongside the Romantic movement. The idea of the rational, liberal individual that is born free is a romantic idea. Individuals begin to reflect on themselves as liberty takes over their minds. Wanderer above the Sea of Fog embraces the self-reflection liberalists were experiencing at the time. This meant that there was room for improvement within our identity: strive for improvement of the self in front of the unknown. -
Jean-Léon Gérôme, “The Snake Charmer”.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, colonialism quickly switched to imperialism: State control over the land, resources and population. State wanted to expand their power and influence onto other territories. Alongside, imperialism was orientalism. Orientalism quickly took influence in the artistic world. Paintings began to reinforce the bizarre aspects of the East, which further reinforced the power of the West (Europe). -
George Grosz, “The Funeral (To Oskar Panizza)”.
World War I took place from 194-1918 and had major effects on multiple levels of society. The failure of capitalism allowed for the rise of socialism and its sibling, communism. Many were shocked from the events of the war, which led to increased mental health issues. Dadaism was a reaction of the war's violence and brutality. Many dadaists were against everything in the world and chaos reigned their minds and art. The Funeral demonstrates the chaotic effects of WW1.