We opened class by dissecting what exactly Neoclassicism is, and how it diverts from the previous periods of art that we’ve discussed so far. This is the first “movement” that we’ve studied– with artists collaborating and moving towards an idea. We discussed the Encyclopedie, and how it signified the change of ideas that occurred during the Enlightenment (how seeing the world through reason became an ideal, and how the importance of knowledge was stressed). We also talked about the Grand Tour, and how cultural norms of the study of Greco-Roman antiquitous works on morality, politics, and philosophy influenced works of art during this period.
Prof. Plesch covered works in lecture that showed the transitional period into Neoclassicism, one of these being Anton Raphael Mengs’ Parnassus, which was painted for the villa of Cardinal Albani in 1761. Mengs was the contemporary of German art historian Winckelmann, who also worked for Albani. He often wrote about the artistic ideal of showcasing “noble simplicity” and “calm grandeur”– in other words, an ideal of a stately nobility. This “calm grandeur” can be seen in Mengs’ work, and becomes a widespread characteristic amongst Neoclassicist art. Mengs was clearly inspired by Raphael’s fresco of the same title; both artworks have symmetrical, structured, and organized compositions, with Apollo serving as a focal point. The structural integrity of the composition is stressed through the use of primary color, which is spread evenly throughout the work. The subject of Parnassus is an antiquitous subject: Mt. Parnasus being the home of the gods in Roman mythology. Mengs’ portrayal of Apollo references the Apollo Belvedere through his garb, hair, and contrapposto.
Another work we covered in class today that I found particularly interesting was Benjamin West’s The Death of General Wolfe, which was a depiction of a contemporary event at the time. General Wolfe was the leader of British troupes in the French and Indian War. Although he perished in battle, he lead his troupes to victory, making him a war hero. For me, the depiction of General Wolfe seemed to be a clear illusion to the death of Christ, and the many works surrounding The Lamentation that we’ve studied in class. One detail that stands out to me is the witnesses’ expressions– they are completely stoic, and react calmly, embodying the “calm grandeur” expressed by Winckelmann in his commentaries. This stoicism is an ideal stemming from ancient philosophy, playing within the framework of rationalism popularized during the Enlightenment.