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The Neoclassical Era
The Neoclassical Era was said to have begun as early as 1660 with literature and the English Restoration Age. Art and architecture would follow after, with the discovery of Herculaneum in 1709. The height of this movement would come between the 1780's-1790's with the period being eventually supplanted by Romanticism.
This period was known for its music, literature, fine art, and architecture that was based on the first great democracy that was found in classical antiquity. -
Christmas Concerto
Arcangelo Corelli
Listen Here: Commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, this piece features concertino violins and cello, as well as a host of other instruments being able to fill in the orchestral sections. The piece starts off somberly and picks up midway through, before culminating in a final spirited piece that leaves the listener satisfied. -
The Four Seasons
Listen here: Antonio Vivaldi's most well-known work that features a group of four violins and creates moods that reflect each of the four seasons of the year. Along with his music, Vivaldi released accompanying sonnets that gave more of a nod to the feelings each season hoped to capture through the music. -
Chiswick House
Designed by amateur architect Richard Boyle (Lord Burlington). This is an example of Palladian style Neoclassicism. Boyle was inspired by Roman ruins he had seen on a trip to Italy, along with Palladio’s writings/drawings. His aim was to emulate the glory of classical Rome’s architecture but in England. Boyle died in 1753.
In 1788, the owners at that time hired architect, John White, to add two symmetrical wings to the structure. A bridge and conservatory were added in subsequent additions. -
Pantheon (Church of Sainte Genevieve)
Beginning as the Church of St. Genevieve, and designed by Jacque-Germain Soufflout, This structure was later turned into a secular building and re-named Paris Pantheon. It's an example of Palladian style, and was dedicated to the French who served during the revolution. This building’s ground plan follows traditional cruciform design, and is topped with a dome, along with a traditional triangular pediment and Corinthian style columns. The interior is decorated with scenes of France’s history. -
Candide
One of Voltaire’s best-known works, this satirical piece is a reaction against the optimistic views that developed during the Enlightenment. Much of Voltaire’s ire is at Leibniz’s Principle of Sufficient Reason, which stated that nothing can be a certain way without there being a reason for it being that way. Due to this, Voltaire created Candide to be at first an optimistic simp, whose understanding of the world gradually shifts throughout the book. -
The Bronze Horseman
This sculpture shows Peter the Great and was made by Etienne Maurice Falconet. It's located in St. Petersburg, and is one of the major symbols of the city. It was commissioned by Catherine the Great to align herself with Peter's rule that had come before, and in order to give her more legitimacy to the throne. -
Monticello
Designed by amateur architect Thomas Jefferson, this was his primary residence. The home was modeled after Palladio's writings and on visual imagery that Jefferson had seen when he was abroad in Europe. He took the tenets of Neoclassical architecture, and adapted them by using indigenous materials found near his Virginia residence.
After his death, Jefferson was buried on the property, and the entirety of the residence is now a museum. -
Oath of the Horatii
One of Jacques-Louis David's most well known paintings. This piece serves to model themes of valor, loyalty, and bravery. The three Horatii brothers swear an oath to their father for the city of Rome, before going to battle the three Curatii brothers of Alba. The painting is guised as taking place in the classical past. This painting later would become associated with the French Revolution, though it had been painted about 5 years before the start of that. -
Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures
Angelica Kauffman's work espousing the moralistic idea of virtue. This painting is the classical re-telling of the Gracchi brothers (seen as young boys in the painting), who would grow up to become honest politicians. In this scene, a woman is showing Cornelia her jewels and asking where Cornelia's treasures are. Cornelia gestures to her children, intimating that they are her greatest treasure. -
George Washington
Selected by Thomas Jefferson for this work, Jean-Antoine Houdon was a French sculptor who created this for the State Capitol in Virginia. Adorned in military attire, the modified contrapposto stance likens Washington to classical statues. In one hand he holds a walking stick, while his other arm rests on top of a bundle of 13 rods, representing the thirteen original colonies and his leadership bringing them together. A plow can be seen behind Washington, showing return to his agrarian life. -
Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
Created by Antonio Canova, this sculpture recounts the classical Greek tale. Here we see Cupid holding his love, Psyche, who has fallen into a deep slumber from breathing in a potion from the underworld. This is the moment where Cupid wakes Psyche and tenderly kisses the maiden. She would later be granted immorality by the gods, becoming the goddess of souls, and be allowed to marry Cupid. -
Death of Socrates
Jacques-Louis David's painting showing the final moments in Socrates' life. Rather than renounce his views on religion and be spared, this painting shows Socrates discussing his beliefs on immortality as he is about to drink from the goblet of poisonous hemlock.
At the foot of the bed, Plato is seen looking away, as he cannot bear for his tutor to part from this world. The man holding the goblet, similarly, cannot stand to witness the site either. -
The White House
Designed by James Hoban who took inspiration from writings by Vitruvius and Andrea Palladio, the White House exemplifies Neoclassical Palladian style. The original incarnation of this design utilized only two stories and nine bays on the façade, which George Washington thought was too small and ill-suited for the home of a president. Hoban incorporated Washington's suggestions to enlarge it into his design, where we now see three stories and eleven bays. -
U.S. Capitol Building
This design was created by Dr. William Thornton, and in conjunction, the first stone was laid by George Washington. Both men understood the significance for house of Congress. This building follows typical classical structures with its domed central axis and levels. The usage of the levels is thus: 1. Committee rooms; 2. House of Representatives and Senate chambers; 3. Gallery access; 4. Offices, machinery rooms; 5. Workshops and support areas. This building was meant to imbue honor and civics. -
The Death of Marat
Painted by Jacques-Louis David shortly after the murder, Jean-Paul Marat was seen as one of the faces of the French Revolution. He suffered from a skin condition, and so he spent a good deal of time in the bathtub, conducting the business of newspaper writing and publishing from there. When Charlotte Corday came to speak to him and name names, he promised her that those names would be published and the people put to death. Instead, she took out a knife and stabbed him in the heart. -
Napoleon Crossing the Alps
This painting, by Jacques-Louis David, showcases Napoleon’s triumph over Austria. It is quite a bit of propaganda, as this isn’t what historically occurred, however it is showing the might that Napoleon and his army wielded. Refusing to sit for his portrait, David had his own son act as a stand-in, wearing a military uniform and posing on a ladder. From this painting, the viewer understands Napoleon’s might, power, and authority. -
Jason with the Golden Fleece
Inspired by the classical masterwork, Doryphoros, Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s sculpting recounts the ancient tale of Jason, who was sent to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The fleece was a symbol of power and authority. Those who were able to capture it were said to become king in the future. This artwork bears striking resemblance to the Doryphoros and yet captures the mythological tale in a new fashion. -
Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix
Antonio Canova’s creation of Venus Victrix has been said to be the epitome of classicism meets modernity. Interest in antiquity was fueled by discovery of Pompeii, so works like this were in high demand. How he sculpted the figure seems at once both idealized and realistic.
The model for this work was Napoleon’s sister, but her reputation was that of someone who was selfish, ungiving and vain. Consequently, the owner of this work did now allow it to be publicly displayed. -
La Grande Odalisque
At first ridiculed by critics for her elongated back, this painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was akin to a pleasure painting. The mystique surrounding a Turkish concubine, complete with hookah, exotic printed fabrics, and peacock feather duster became something that wealthy French viewers enjoyed. Its sensuous nature, and the alluring pose and look from the exotic concubine was something that greatly interested patrons of the time. -
The Apotheosis of Homer
Inspired by Raphael's School of Athens centuries before him, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres also brought together a pantheon of luminaries from across time. Unlike Raphael, however, Ingres included artists as well as intellectuals in this painting. Home is in the center and figures like Dante, Phidias, Raphael, and Ingres himself flank him in this classical temple style setting. -
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
This story by Victor Hugo is well known. Set in 1400's Paris, the plot focuses on Quasimodo, a hunchback who rings the tower bell, and falls in love with La Esmerelda, a dancer who shows him kindness.
Their love was not meant to be, as a series of events occur, eventually ending with both of them being killed for different reasons. The story ends with a scene years later, where two skeletons are discovered embracing. It is known that it is La Esmerelda and Quasimodo, together at last. -
George Washington
Horatio Greenough's marble-sculpted work was commissioned by US Congress. Reminiscent of a now-lost sculpture of Zeus by Phidias, this sculpture harkens back to classical antiquity both with Washington's robe, and the accompanying statues of Apollo and Hercules. This sculpture makes the nation's first president look like a god. His only sign of humility coming from the position of the sword, symbolic for how Washington relinquished his military duties back to the citizens.