How Did War Influence Neoclassical Art

The twentieth century was a strenuous yet a revolutionary time for humanity. Having two World Wars that ended in mayhem and drove a hole into the economy, there were also new political systems coming into play and many artists began to express their political opinion through every form of art known to man. For example, Wilfred Owen, in addition to being a solider in the World War One, he was also a famous poet. One of his most famous poems is “Dulce et Decorum Est” which was written specifically to describe the harsh reality of the war. Another form of art was Pablo Picasso’s painting “Guernica” which was also a response to politics. Wilfred Owen’s poem and Pablo Picasso’s painting were two very different forms of art that had similar responses to the historical and political events.

This paintings powerful message can clearly be seen to the viewer, especially culturally when we see the torn up Constitution of the United States in the background, representing a “free-for-all” on this day as our American beliefs did not matter to the terrorists. We also see the diversity between the three suffering women in handcuffs, showing that this tragedy hit everyone, but we were all bound together as Americans. The visual claims that this event truly was horrific and shows the absolute loss of innocence throughout our nation on this one day. The hands of the men especially show the suffering and anguish our nation felt, as they are deformed, projecting their pain onto the viewer. This work specifically reflects a historical moment in American history in that it depicts the events of September 11th. However, it also shows the future that is to come with the old man who survived passing the information of these events onto the young innocently blindfolded girl on the bottom right. Clearly, this piece is superficial in the sense where it comments on one event, but it also goes deeper, showing the aftermath and actions to come for the American

There were several strong influences on painters after the French Revolution, especially in the Neoclassical and Romantic periods. The bloody events of the revolution inspired painters to write about similarly important and momentous events, and it was not just French painters who took steps to show these emotions through their work. From the Neoclassical period, Jacques-Louis David’s “The Oath of the Horatii” conveys these ideas, and from the Romantic period, Eugene Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” show similar ideas.

An artist's job is to interpret, and express the aspects of life in a creative fashion. War has played a big part in shaping our human history, and many artists have portrayed their feelings about art through paintings, and even monuments. Whether it be to show; the joy of victory, the sorrow of defeat, or to educate the public on the gory realities of war. Art about war can also show us a great amount of history of the kinds of weapons that were used at the time. It is necessary for artists to interpret, and criticize all aspects of life; even ones as tragic as war, It can make the public more aware of what goes on in times of war.

This painting tells a sad story about a general who is willing to die for his citizens. This story also tells a hopeful story about unity between two completely different civilizations.

Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Oath of the Horatii, though painted a few years before the actual French Revolution, sparked interests in the idea of giving your all. This included the lives of your family and reigning king, for the greater good of your nation. He expressed these ideas by choosing such a myth as the basis of this painting. The way the imagery screams loyalty, truth, and character; it also shows the dark traits he is revolting against, such as excess and dishonor.

Art teaches us about the past. Past people, places, and events are the foundations of artwork to realist artists. Realism is the art movement in which artists try to convey their subject matter truthfully. Having graphic and detailed forms of art based, for example, on past wars allow us to see and understand a time different from our own. Realist pieces of art from the past are especially helpful because we have few documents of these times, let alone any photographs. For example, the painting The Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West, based on the Seven Year’s War, not only shows us the gruesome realities of war, but also makes us stop and think about war seriously. Why was this war fought and what did it accomplish? Was it worth losing

Art shows the perspective of those responding to emotional and traumatic life experiences by…giving visual of events that happened during World War 1 or poetry to trigger the minds of the audience who dont understand it. In the art piece The Twins was made in 1916 by Robert W Service), it shows how the art piece was made in the middle of war when soldiers were being drafted to help defeat enemy. It was showing how people were trying to show nationalism by joining war and other decided not to do. It also shows how many people risked their lives during World War 1 even though their family members didn't care. The second art piece is called Blood and Iron” (1916) Charles Ernest Butler. In the description box it says “The work shows no obvious hero to resolve the chaos and destruction.

The French Revolution began in the year of 1789. Starting with the raid of the Paris Bastille prison, then the French regime was overthrown within a few years and the lower classes leaders were trying to take the local control with violence. Many of the aristocracies and nobles were executed and tortured at home during the Reign of Terror. In such circumstances, the French painting abounded its moral and political purpose and embraced the style known as neoclassicism and romanticism. This essay will first go through the compare and contrast both of the style with Jacques-Louis David’s The Loves of Paris and Helen, representing the neoclassical style of art, and the painting significant with its romanticism style Liberty Leading the People, painted by Eugène Delacroix. After the reviewing each expression of both of the art, a conclusion will be taken from their variation.

An example of nationalists having remembrance of history could include how British nationalists named the Battle of Peterloo in reference to the Battle of Waterloo. This reference is ironic because it compares a battle won by the French and a battle lost by the English. However, even though the romantics often chose to visually remember landscapes in which they believed would go down in modern-history, such as the unspoiled nature of Lake District of northern England and northern Africa, many romantics also cherished the Middle Ages in other ways, such as poetry or music. An example of the romanticists having remembrance of history could include Eugène Delacroix’s most famous painting Liberty Leading the People, which glorified the French Revolution of 1830.

This theory can explain the politics, and war that was happening during that year. The painting shows how the British army defeated the French in the struggle for control of the Canadian portion of North America, and how General Wolfe died, and it exemplified the idea of patriotic self-sacrifice.

For my writing assignment, I chose to discuss “The Third of May,” by Francisco Goya. On May 2, 1808, hundreds of Goya’s countrymen rebelled against the French. On May 3, these Spanish freedom fighters were rounded up and put to death by the French. Francisco Goya was in a tough position because he had supported the French Revolution, but the slaughter of his countrymen and the horrors of war made him change his tune and had a profound effect on the artist. This painting is acclaimed as one the great paintings of all time and has even been called the world’s first modern painting.

In Liberty: Leading the People, Delacroix uses a triangle to compose the piece (Fig 2), with Liberty at the peak of the pyramid and the people at the bottom in order to balance out the composition, compared to The Death of Sardanapalus, “ Delacroix’s painting offers no clear recession into depth. There is no logical sense of scale or perspective.” (Walsh) The Death of Sardanapalus is just clustered and a mess with no real balance or logic. Romantic art is characterized as straying away from traditional art forms, thus this piece is a piece reminiscent to the art style known as Romanticism.

The war and revolution, theme, painting and its backstory did stir up plenty of thoughts and feelings. Obviously, war and revolution is relevant to our polarized nation and chaotic world stage, for several bi-partisan decades escalating. I suppose it’s wise to remain alert on this topic. Evidently, continuous throughout human history, and current. Just because it’s at present it isn’t on your backyard or doorstep doesn’t mean it can’t be—. Let art be reflective.

Delacroix painting depicts an event from the July Revolution of 1830.The focal area of the painting is a woman, holding the flag of the french revolution. The artist uses chiaroscuro to emphasize this woman, and set her apart from the background. This woman is wearing a yellow dress falling from her shoulders and a phrygian cap, which in the 18th and 19th centuries signified liberty. Obviously this woman is the personification of liberty. Liberty confidently marches through the streets of Paris and tramples on the dead bodies of French soldiers beneath her. Then turning her head to the right looking back at those who she leads in a revolution, which is a common subject for french romantic paintings. Also, romantic paintings put an emphasis on the artist's emotion. Notably, at the center of painting we see a young boy dressed in colors mirroring the flag, grasping onto the heels of Liberty and looking up in awe at the woman. This demonstrates Delacroix feelings for the rebels and artistic expression is a key factor of Romantic art.