A Comparative Analysis of Neo-classical and Romantic Art Movements

This essay delves into a comparative analysis of Neo-classical and Romantic art movements, tracing their historical context, core beliefs, and stylistic characteristics. It begins with an introduction to both periods, highlighting their origins and influences, including the Renaissance, Baroque, Industrial Revolution, and Enlightenment. The essay then explores the differing approaches to human reason and rationality, examining the emphasis on logic and reason in Neoclassicism versus the focus on emotion and self-experience in Romanticism. The core of the essay compares the works of Jacques-Louis David's 'Oath of the Horatii' and Eugène Delacroix's 'Liberty Leading the People,' analyzing their composition, use of color, and symbolism. The essay emphasizes the contrasting styles of the two movements, demonstrating how Neoclassical art reflected societal values and Romantic art celebrated nature and individual expression. It concludes by summarizing the key distinctions between the two art forms, offering a comprehensive overview of their impact on Western culture. The essay uses the works of the artists to highlight the differences in their artistic styles and philosophical underpinnings. This document is a student contribution to Desklib, a platform providing AI-powered study tools.

Neo-classical and romanticism
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
The different approaches and beliefs in human reason and rationality...........................................2
David and Delacroix are views........................................................................................................3

Introduction
The Renaissance era started in the 1400s in Italy and is one of the most vital parts of the
European history as it presents the transition from medieval time to modern age. In the 1600s,
this period was followed by Baroque period representing the transformation coming during the
reformation. The artist from Renaissance period had their focus on the values and knowledge
coming from Roman and Greek culture. Whereas the Baroque arts can be classified as the
recreation of the Renaissance arts which were complex and diverse, emotional, dramatic and
even used by Catholic Counter-Reformation for presenting their voice against Protestantism.
Neoclassicism and Romanticism are two eras of literary, artistic and intellectual movements
depicting the difference between the Western Culture and its history. Neoclassicism ranged from
18th century to 19th century. Whereas, Romanticism began during the elapse of the 18th century.
The inspiration for Neoclassicism was drawn from places with classical culture and art, Ancient
Rome and Greece. Neoclassicism stressed on logic and reason and their subject dealt primarily
with the human beings. In this era, the technique used did not use any color and no trace of
brushstroke were seen instead the emphasis was given towards drawing with lines. The primary
chief architects of this period were Alexander Pope and John Dryden, and the best painter was J.
L. David.
Romanticism was visible in architecture, literature, and arts. It stresses upon the movements like
Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment. During romanticism, emotions were given high value.
This is the prime reason that emotions and self-experience were given high importance in
Romantic Period. The writer of Romanticism era focused on describing nature as compared to
Neoclassicism that focused on society. The technique used in this era was rich in color where the

brushstrokes were visible, and it was unrestrained. The primary poets of this era are Shelley,
Keats and Byron and painters were Eugene Delacroix and Theodore Gericault.
The case study compares the works of Neo-Classicist painter Jacque-Louis David’s Oath of
Horatti and Romanticist painter Eugène Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People and comparing
general features and their styles and are judged on various other criteria.
The different approaches and beliefs in human reason and rationality
Neoclassicism has appealed to the artists who supported the French Revolution and presented the
democratic legacy which was prevalent in Rome and Greece. Jacques-Louis David was the
most influential of all the neoclassical painters. His first work was the Oath of the Horatii,
depicting the legendary warriors taking a pledge towards forming the allegiance to the Roman
Republic. Another works from David were the portrayal of a revolutionary martyr in his
masterpiece called The Death of Marat and the painting called Napoleon Crossing the Alps,
being the official painter of the emperor.
Whereas, the Romantic painting has been divided into two broad categories namely: Landscape
painting where the primary subject is the environment and the figure painting where figures are
the primary subject. One of the greatest Romantic painters was Eugène Delacroix, who won
accolades for his brilliant visual effects using contrasting color with adjacent yet small strokes.
He presented his masterpiece the Liberty Leading the People, where he depicted the French
Revolution with grisly destruction yet heroic glory. Romantic paintings, therefore, stressed on
the natural beauty whereas the Neoclassicism was a reflection of the society.

David and Delacroix are views
Oath of the Horatii
The eyes grasp the two orders namely the figure and the décor. The painting is organization into
three varying groups each representing different purpose. In order to create the appeal of elder
Horatius, the left represents the spontaneous oath and its vigor depicting the strength whereas the
right-hand side presented the anguish of the people and compressed into their emotions. This
contrast is accentuated by the distance between the three. The grief of crying women with
troubled children is opposed by the warrior’s determination. The picture depicts architectural
space with massive arches columns and majestic shadow. The three groups are corresponded by
three archways. The painter has softened the atmosphere by using shades of pink, brown, red and
green in a discreet manner. He chose to close his painting off and let it bathe in the shadow. A
brick-tone reflection and the figures encircled by the mysterious halo has been presented in the
painting. This painting presents the founding act of moral and aesthetic order, in the harmony of
colors and spiritual density of the figures along with sacrifice that is transfigured using the
warrior and their oath.
Liberty Leading the People
The painting is a symbolism of conquest of French Revolution by the people. The prime focus of
this painting is the loosely clothed woman who is holding the flag of the French Revolution along
with a musket. She symbolized the primary motive of the revolution and the fight for change and
liberty. The painting represents the citizen feeling unchallenged and are stepping over the French
army without any fear. In order to create the impact of this great revolution, Delacroix has played
with anatomy. On the right side, pistols are brandished by a young boy and a dockworker on the

far left whereas white-collared gentlemen in the middle depicting that all of them are working
together for taking their country back. The painting highlights all the male French citizens
belonging from different classes being marching as one glorifying the war and consequently
perpetuating the French pride. Colors have been used for emphasizing the actions and are
reinforced beautifully in the structure. The red splashes in the man's sash which is trying to rise
upwards at the feet of the Liberty has beautifully contributed to the whole revolution.

References
Khan Academy. (2016). Khan Academy. Retrieved 19 October 2016, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/neo-classicism/a/david-
oath-of-the-horatii
Khan Academy. (2016). Khan Academy. Retrieved 19 October 2016, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/neo-classicism/a/
neoclassicism-an-introduction
July 28: Liberty Leading the People | Louvre Museum | Paris. (2016). Louvre.fr. Retrieved 19
October 2016, from http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/july-28-liberty-leading-people
Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People. (2016). Mtholyoke.edu. Retrieved 19 October 2016,
from https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255/la/delacroix.html