Neoclassicismen

Neoclassicism, sometimes referred to in non-English contexts as Neoclassicismen, is a broad cultural movement that emerged in the mid-18th century and lasted into the early 19th century. It spread across Europe and the Americas and sought a return to the art and ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. It developed as a reaction against the ornate Baroque and Rococo styles, prioritizing clarity, order, restraint, and moral seriousness.

Origins and influences: The movement drew on renewed scholarly interest in antiquity, sparked by Johann Joachim Winckelmann’s writings, archaeological discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the growing interest in the classical world during the Grand Tour. Enlightenment ideas about reason, civic virtue, and public life reinforced its program.

Characteristics and forms: In painting and sculpture, neoclassicism favored idealized figures, restrained emotion, and classical themes. In architecture, it emphasized symmetry, straight lines, and the use of classical orders with temple fronts and pediments. In literature and drama, it valued balanced forms and rational argument. In music, neoclassical tendencies stressed form, clarity, and restrained sentiment, drawing on classical models even as composers experimented with modern idioms.

Geographic reach and figures: Major centers included France, Italy, Britain and the United States. Notable practitioners encompass painter Jacques-Louis David, sculptor Antonio Canova, architect Robert Adam, and designers such as Thomas Jefferson in the American context.

Legacy: Neoclassicism influenced the design of museums, government buildings, and civic spaces, shaping architectural taste and public life. Its prominence faded with Romanticism in the early 19th century, though its language and conventions continued to inform later revival movements and modern architectural and artistic practice.