Classical Blog Post: Rococo vs Neoclassical Art

 The Classical era was a time of dramatic change within the arts, along with society in general. With the advent of the Enlightenment, various scientific developments, and several revolutions, western civilization took an important step towards becoming the world we live in today. 

This era was divided into two very different styles: Rococo, and Neoclassical. The Rococo style was characterized by a lightheartedness not in preceding times. For the aristocracy, it was a time of ease and freedom to engage in activities and lifestyles previously deemed frivolous or downright immoral. The Enlightenment changed a lot of that, bringing an increased emphasis on humanity's nobility and intellect. The result was the Neoclassical era, which focused on lines, history, and self-sacrifice. ("Rococo Vs Neoclassical Art - Artst")

The first half of the Classical era was characterized by the Rococo style of art and architecture. Rococo artists used light, pastel colors, curving forms, and a graceful, feminine style. In paintings, subjects were often portrayed in lavish, over the top clothing, especially the women. However, both men and women were portrayed with exceptional delicacy, often with porcelain-like skin and a light glow. 

Overall, the Rococo style reflected the sentiment of those who patronized the arts, typically the upper class and wealthy. It was a time of frivolity, self-indulgence, lavish opulence, and a profound lack of morality. Rococo paintings typically portrayed men and women engaged in leisurely activities, perhaps with their children. Portraits were similar. Artists gave their subjects highly idealized features, as well as sumptuous, flowing clothing. The emotional impact was usually little to none. ("Rococo Vs Neoclassical Art - Artst")

A good example of Rococo style is The  Swing, by Jean-Honore Fragonard. 

Painted in France in the year 1767, this work is oil on canvas and is 32 x 25 inches. It is considered one of the masterpieces of the Rococo era. In it we see a fashionable young woman dressed in the style of the time. She is seated on a large swing and is being pulled back and forth by her husband while she floats airily above the ground. Her legs extend gracefully, kicking her skirt up in the air and flinging a shoe into the air. Out of view of her husband, her lover hides behind a bush, perfectly positioned to stare up her skirt. ("Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing – Smarthistory")

A strong diagonal line goes from the bottom left corner to the top right, while the light comes in strongly from the top left. The leafy background is dark and muted compared the the woman's dress, naturally drawing our eyes towards her. She is the center of this work, literally and figuratively. The entire piece revolves around her frilly presence. 

This work, while innocent at first glance, carries distinctly amorous tones and hidden symbolism. To the common person, this painting and others like it would have embodied the moral decline of the aristocracy. However, this style of art was wildly popular with the upper classes at the time. The lighthearted, frivolous sentiments shown in Rococo style reflects the character of the people patronizing and commissioning the art: shallow, opulent, and devoid of strong moral convictions.  

The lady in the painting doesn't command attention because she is a notable historical figure, or because of something great she has done, or even because she is particularly beautiful or intelligent looking. In fact, she doesn't really command attention at all, she simply draws the eye because of the lighting, her elaborate dress, and lack of restraint in her motion. 

While I have a very high level of respect for the artistic skill involved in creating such a work (it is called a masterpiece for a reason), the frivolity and amorality makes me find the overall effect distasteful. I feel that the lady could easily be replaced by a loofah, and the only thing lost would be the sex appeal. I do not believe I would ever have such a work in my house. 

Many people, and even artists, shared my sentiments about the Rococo style. In time, it went out of fashion. The public had been voicing disapproval over the style for some time, and many critics were calling for more history paintings. This, compounded with the discovery of Pompeii, provided an entry for the style that dominated the second half of the Classical era: Neoclassicism. 

Neoclassical style was marked by a strong emphasis on lines and straight forms, as well as an interest in ancient subjects. Neoclassical artists brought back the nobility and morality that was lacking in Rococo art. 

A great example of this is The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David. 

Also painted in France, this work was completed in 1787 and is oil on canvas, 51 x 77.2 inches. ("The Death Of Socrates By Jacques Louis David")

The Death of Socrates shows strong Neoclassical traits. Note the presence of solid, rectangular shapes, as well as clean, visible lines. The use of emotion is apparent as well. Every person in the painting shows varying degrees of grief and loss, except for Socrates himself, who remains calm. Unlike the lighthearted style of previous art, this painting is emotionally impactful in a way Rococo style could never achieve. 

Neoclassical style is all about nobility, and painting mankind in a less self-centered light. Look at the calm expression Socrates has. He knows he is about to die, but instead of being self-focused and terrified, he points upward, reminding his grieving followers that all is not lost. Despite being in a dungeon about to be executed, strong, direct light falls on him, illuminating his face. 

This painting is one of my personal favorites. The clean lines and solid shapes, Socrates' heroic calmness in the face of death, and the emotional impact of this work make it very inspiring to me. I would love to own a copy of it if I could. 

Another inspiring Neoclassical work is The Oath of the Horatii, also by Jacques Louis David. 

This work, completed in the year 1784, is oil on canvas and is a very large 129.8 in × 167.2 in. It was painted in France. 

This painting is about a time when Rome was at war with a neighboring city. Instead of both cities sending out their armies, three brothers were selected from each city to fight to the death. The painting captures the moment the brothers make their oath to defend Rome to the death, while their father holds up their swords. In the background, their sisters and mother weep, knowing they are sure to lose someone they love. ("Jacques-Louis David, Oath Of The Horatii – Smarthistory")

Again we see the stark contrast from the Rococo style. Look at how sharp and bold the lines are, compared to the flowing curves of Rococo. Note also the attention to architecture. We see sturdy pillars, repeating arches, and lines in the tiles of the floor that lead to a vanishing point. As with The Death of Socrates, we also see strong directional lighting, almost as if a spotlight is on the characters. 

Perhaps the most important difference, though, is that this is an inherently moral work. You can sense the energy in this painting. Instead of being a shallow work promoting self-indulgence, this is about heroism and being willing to sacrifice one's life for one's country. It is a painting of strength, the bond between brothers, self-sacrifice, determination, but also grief and loss. 

This nobility is the cornerstone of the Neoclassical style, and what makes it so markedly different from the Rococo style. While Rococo artists tried to justify moral apathy and laziness through their work, Neoclassical artists strove to achieve something greater. Instead of being content to take the path of least resistance, the embraced the fact that virtue comes through struggle and hardship, and greatness is achieved through self-sacrifice. 

Bibliography:

"Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing – Smarthistory". Smarthistory.Org, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/.

"The Death Of Socrates By Jacques Louis David". Jacqueslouisdavid.Net, 2021, http://www.jacqueslouisdavid.net/death-of-socrates/.

"Jacques-Louis David, Oath Of The Horatii – Smarthistory". Smarthistory.Org, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/jacques-louis-david-oath-of-the-horatii/.

"Rococo Vs Neoclassical Art - Artst". Artst, 2021, https://www.artst.org/rococo-vs-neoclassical/#:~:text=Rococo%20vs%20Neoclassical%20The%20main%20differences%20between%20Rococo,stuck%20to%20much%20stricter%20classical%20lines%20and%20symmetry.