The French Revolution (1789 – 99) had ramifications for all aspects of French life as well as influencing thought and society much more widely. Its effects on art were multi-faceted, including: subject matter; style; and the artistic audience and workforce.
I will commence with a brief overview of the antecedents of the Revolution, before discussing each of these effects in turn.
The French Revolution (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.; History World International, n.d)
The French Revolution saw monarchy rejected in favour of government by the people. Although there was a subsequent, historically brief return to monarchy, the seeds of the revolution were well sown and both the organization of French society and the rights of citizens were irrevocably …show more content…
These were fundamental societal changes that resonated well outside France.
The Revolution was a bloody and protracted affair, featuring battles, thousands of public beheadings and a multi-year “Reign of Terror”.
The art and artists of the period (Encyclopedia of Art History, n.d.)
Three artistic styles are highly relevant to the French Revolution. Rococo was in vogue prior to the Revolution, or at least prior to its antecedents. Rococo’s frivolism was readily identifiable with the predilections of the monarchy and aristocracy, and the backlash against it in favour of Neoclassicism mirrored the change in mood of the French population. Neoclassicism and Romanticism, however, were deeply influenced by the events that led to and were outcomes from the …show more content…
Its subject matter was more complex, nuanced, dynamic and emotional. It illustrated society’s progression towards individualism rather than collective ideals, and demonstrated diversity of perspectives in collective action. This is quite different to the Neoclassical approach, as exemplified by The Tennis Court Oath – the subjects in David’s work are united in their mood. Examples of Romantic portrayals of the evolution include Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes (painting) and Departure of the Volunteers (sculpture), shown below. Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson. (1801). Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes. François Rude (1833-36).
Departure of the Volunteers.
Girodet’s Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes depicts a welcoming to afterlife for French heroes who died in the Revolution / Napoleonic Wars. The scene is busy and dynamic, perhaps tumultuous. The heroes carry a variety of expressions and evoke a spectrum of emotions, including confusion, sadness and enthusiasm. Some are looking forward, others back (from where they had
I will commence with a brief overview of the antecedents of the Revolution, before discussing each of these effects in turn.
The French Revolution (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.; History World International, n.d)
The French Revolution saw monarchy rejected in favour of government by the people. Although there was a subsequent, historically brief return to monarchy, the seeds of the revolution were well sown and both the organization of French society and the rights of citizens were irrevocably …show more content…
These were fundamental societal changes that resonated well outside France.
The Revolution was a bloody and protracted affair, featuring battles, thousands of public beheadings and a multi-year “Reign of Terror”.
The art and artists of the period (Encyclopedia of Art History, n.d.)
Three artistic styles are highly relevant to the French Revolution. Rococo was in vogue prior to the Revolution, or at least prior to its antecedents. Rococo’s frivolism was readily identifiable with the predilections of the monarchy and aristocracy, and the backlash against it in favour of Neoclassicism mirrored the change in mood of the French population. Neoclassicism and Romanticism, however, were deeply influenced by the events that led to and were outcomes from the …show more content…
Its subject matter was more complex, nuanced, dynamic and emotional. It illustrated society’s progression towards individualism rather than collective ideals, and demonstrated diversity of perspectives in collective action. This is quite different to the Neoclassical approach, as exemplified by The Tennis Court Oath – the subjects in David’s work are united in their mood. Examples of Romantic portrayals of the evolution include Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes (painting) and Departure of the Volunteers (sculpture), shown below. Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson. (1801). Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes. François Rude (1833-36).
Departure of the Volunteers.
Girodet’s Ossian Receiving the Ghosts of the Fallen French Heroes depicts a welcoming to afterlife for French heroes who died in the Revolution / Napoleonic Wars. The scene is busy and dynamic, perhaps tumultuous. The heroes carry a variety of expressions and evoke a spectrum of emotions, including confusion, sadness and enthusiasm. Some are looking forward, others back (from where they had