Canova’s seminal Theseus and the Minotaur broke the boundary between Baroque and Neoclassical, presenting a classical subject matter in a calm setting with attention to detail. Often hailed as one of the best examples of the classical style, Canova’s sculpture helped pave the way for Neoclassical sculpture as a whole. Influenced by his hometown of Venice and the public negative sentiment towards the Ottoman Empire, the choice of the Greek myth was deliberate, displaying both the social trends of the time as a classical allusion alongside a political statement on the condition of Crete. Born in Rome, the Neoclassical style would evolve as it spread throughout Europe and abroad.
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was born on May 1, 1764 to descendents of …show more content…
The Greek Revival style chosen by Latrobe was replicated first throughout Philadelphia before spreading to the rest of the United States for often governmental buildings. Latrobe’s building executed the desired style perfectly. The building was the first structure in which masonry vaults were utilized for architectural effect, not simply structural (Hamlin 153). Latrobe also used Greek Ionic porticoes at both ends, reversed arches to distribute weight, and a prominent dome (Hamlin 154-156). He also took particular care with the frieze beneath the dome, using a Greek method of painting with a blued white color topped off with a dark russet Greek fret (Hamlin 155). Not only did Latrobe attempt so much with this structure, but he also accomplished it with a great understanding of geometric proportions and harmony. Because of Neoclassical influences from Britain which emphasized a Palladian style, the final structure was simple, symmetrical and balanced. Latrobe recalled hearing a visiting French officer exclaiming, “C’est si beau, et si simple!” (Hamlin 157). The May 14, 1831 edition of the Philadelphia Album proudly declared that Philadelphia was the ‘Athens of America’, in large part to the booming Greek Revival present. (Moss and Crane 104). By utilizing Greek techniques, the …show more content…
Studying David’s style and technique with a near religious fervor, Gros became David’s favorite student, and became skilled in the Neoclassical historical painting David was known for (Serullaz 10).When Napoleon rose to power amid a series of military victories, there was now contemporary material on which paintings could be based. Gros was not limited to painting antiquity, and instead painted contemporary scenes of war through which he served as a propagandist for Napoleon (Prendergast 15). With the Battle of the Pyramids, also known as Napoleon Haranguing the Army Before the Battle of the Pyramids in 1810, Gros not only glorified Napoleon and the values of post-Revolution France, but also used distinct Neoclassical techniques in a manner which subtly hinted at the concurrent Romantic
Benjamin Henry Latrobe was born on May 1, 1764 to descendents of …show more content…
The Greek Revival style chosen by Latrobe was replicated first throughout Philadelphia before spreading to the rest of the United States for often governmental buildings. Latrobe’s building executed the desired style perfectly. The building was the first structure in which masonry vaults were utilized for architectural effect, not simply structural (Hamlin 153). Latrobe also used Greek Ionic porticoes at both ends, reversed arches to distribute weight, and a prominent dome (Hamlin 154-156). He also took particular care with the frieze beneath the dome, using a Greek method of painting with a blued white color topped off with a dark russet Greek fret (Hamlin 155). Not only did Latrobe attempt so much with this structure, but he also accomplished it with a great understanding of geometric proportions and harmony. Because of Neoclassical influences from Britain which emphasized a Palladian style, the final structure was simple, symmetrical and balanced. Latrobe recalled hearing a visiting French officer exclaiming, “C’est si beau, et si simple!” (Hamlin 157). The May 14, 1831 edition of the Philadelphia Album proudly declared that Philadelphia was the ‘Athens of America’, in large part to the booming Greek Revival present. (Moss and Crane 104). By utilizing Greek techniques, the …show more content…
Studying David’s style and technique with a near religious fervor, Gros became David’s favorite student, and became skilled in the Neoclassical historical painting David was known for (Serullaz 10).When Napoleon rose to power amid a series of military victories, there was now contemporary material on which paintings could be based. Gros was not limited to painting antiquity, and instead painted contemporary scenes of war through which he served as a propagandist for Napoleon (Prendergast 15). With the Battle of the Pyramids, also known as Napoleon Haranguing the Army Before the Battle of the Pyramids in 1810, Gros not only glorified Napoleon and the values of post-Revolution France, but also used distinct Neoclassical techniques in a manner which subtly hinted at the concurrent Romantic