Classical Blog Exhibit

Revolution and Art: A Virtual Exhibit on the Interplay of Political Change and Artistic Expression in the 1700s

Introduction:

The 1700s was a period of revolutionary change, marked by huge political changes, social changes, and the rise of new artistic styles. The era saw the birth of strong movements and ideas that opposed the established authority of monarchies and the Church, including the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. The classical era in Western art emerged during this period, which was marked by a rise in interest in the ideals of classical Greece and Rome, a buildup on harmony, balance, and proportion, as well as the exploration of new subjects and topics. It was also a period of profound artistic innovation.

By highlighting three important works by three different classical artists from the 1700s—Jacques-Louis David's "The Death of Marat" (1793), Francisco Goya's "The Third of May 1808" (1814), and John Singleton Copley's "Watson and the Shark"—this virtual exhibition seeks to examine the interaction between revolution and art in the era (1778). The exhibit looks at these pieces in an effort to show how the revolutionary beliefs and events of the time were represented in the arts and how artists were key to influencing and expressing the spirit of the moment.

Revolution and Art in the 1700s:

During the 1700s, there was a lot of political and social development. The Enlightenment, a movement that placed a strong focus on reason, individuality, and science, called into question the traditional power of monarchies and the Church and pushed for the creation of a society that was more just and logical. Both the French Revolution (1789–1799) and the American Revolution (1775–1783) saw the fall of long-standing monarchs in favor of more democratic forms of governance. The arts were greatly impacted by these revolutionary events as artists tried to capture the spirit and support the revolutionary cause by their creations.

A lot of political and social change occurred throughout the 1700s. The Enlightenment challenged the established authority of monarchies and the Church and advocated for the development of a society that was more rational and based on reason. It also placed a heavy emphasis on reason, individuality, and science. Long-standing monarchies were destroyed during the French Revolution (1789–1799) and the American Revolution (1775–1783) in favor of more democratic systems of government. These revolutionary events had a significant impact on the arts as artists strove to capture the spirit and advance the revolutionary cause by their works.

Revolutionary Themes in Selected Works:

Jacques-Louis David's "The Death of Marat" (1793)

A French painter of the classical era who strongly backed the French Revolution was Jacques-Louis David. The assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a radical writer and politician who was a significant participant in the Revolution, is mostly on in his 1793 painting "The Killing of Marat" (The Death of Marat). Seen as a symbol of the revolutionary cause, Marat's lifeless body is depicted in the artwork as an iconic example of suffering and sacrifice. David's artwork displays his dedication to the revolutionary principles by capturing the fury and bloodshed of the time.

Francisco Goya's "The Third of May 1808" (1814)

A Spanish painter of the classical era, Francisco Goya was renowned for his original and expressive technique. The Peninsular War, a smaller war that was a portion of the greater Napoleonic Wars, which were itself an outgrowth of the revolutionary spirit that had swept Europe, is shown in "The Third of May 1808" (1814) in a haunting manner. The savagery of battle is sharply criticized in Goya's picture, which also emotionally conveys the suffering and resistance of common people over the government.

John Singleton Copley's "Watson and the Shark" (1778)

American painter John Singleton Copley enjoyed remarkable success both in the American colonies and in England. His dramatic portrayal of a true story in which young sailor Brook Watson was attacked by a shark and afterward saved by his other crew members is called "Watson and the Shark" (1778). With Watson representing the scrappiness and bravery of the American colonists and the shark standing in for the oppressive British authority, the picture might be read as an allegory of the American struggle for freedom. Copley's artwork exemplifies the various ways in which artists of the period attempted to interact with the revolutionary events and concepts that were reshaping their world.

References

 Crow, T. (1985). Painters and Public Life in Eighteenth-Century Paris. New Haven and London:

Yale University Press.

The connection between art and politics in 18th-century France is thoroughly examined in this book, with particular attention paid to the ways in which revolutionary projects were advanced by painters like Jacques-Louis David. The significance of David's "The Death of Marat" within the background of the French Revolution is thoroughly discussed by the author.

Hagen, R. M., & Hagen, R. (1990). Francisco Goya:

The Third of May 1808. In R. M. Hagen & R. Hagen (Eds.), Francisco Goya, 1746-1828: The Path to Enlightenment (pp. 95-103). Cologne: Taschen.

In-depth discussion of Francisco Goya's "The Third of May 1808" and its connection to revolutionary events and thoughts is provided in this essay. The artwork, according to the authors, powerfully illustrates the human cost of battle and Goya's own frustration with the revolutionary cause.