klassikalisus

Klassikalisus is a broad aesthetic and cultural movement that privileges imitatio of antiquity, particularly Greek and Roman art. It emphasizes rationality, clarity, proportion, balance, and universality. Emerging in 17th- and 18th-century Europe, klassikalisus influenced architecture, literature, theatre, painting, sculpture, and music, and it is often linked to neoclassicism and the Enlightenment's ideals of order and civic virtue.

Origins and features: Rooted in humanist study of classical texts and the renewed interest in antiquity, klassikalisus sought to model contemporary art on ancient models, stressing decorum, restraint, and the primacy of reason. Art should serve moral and social purposes and aim for universal truths, not novelty for its own sake.

In literature and theatre: French classicism codified early, with plays governed by unity of time, place and action, clear style, admirable characters, and moral seriousness. The drama of Corneille, Racine, and Molière exemplifies these aims; similar tendencies appeared in poetry and prose across Europe.

In the visual arts and architecture: Architecture favors symmetry, orderly composition, columns and pediments; painting and sculpture seek idealized but natural forms and measured narrative. Neoclassical buildings and decorative arts became prominent in the 18th century, drawing on Palladian and Roman models. In music, a related sensibility valued formal clarity, balance, and expressive restraint and culminated in the Classical style of composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven.

Legacy: Klassikalisus shaped public taste, education, and museum culture and influenced later neoclassicism, urban planning, and design. It stood in contrast to Baroque exuberance and Rococo ornamentation and remains a foundational reference in studies of European art and culture.