neoclássica

Neoclassical is a term used to describe a revival and reinterpretation of the classical art and architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome. This movement, which gained prominence in the mid-18th century and continued into the early 19th century, emerged as a reaction against the perceived excesses and frivolity of the preceding Baroque and Rococo styles. Neoclassical art and architecture emphasize order, clarity, symmetry, and restraint, drawing inspiration from ancient ruins and scholarly publications that explored classical antiquity.

In architecture, Neoclassicism is characterized by the use of columns, pediments, domes, and friezes, often arranged in balanced and harmonious compositions. Buildings from this period frequently exhibit grand facades, rectilinear forms, and a sense of monumental scale. Prominent architects associated with the style include Andrea Palladio, whose work heavily influenced later Neoclassical design, and figures like Robert Adam and Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Public buildings, such as government offices, museums, and libraries, were often designed in the Neoclassical style, reflecting its association with reason, democracy, and civic virtue.

In painting and sculpture, Neoclassicism sought to convey moral and heroic themes, often drawing subjects from mythology, history, and literature. The style emphasizes clear outlines, smooth surfaces, and idealized forms, aiming for a sense of timelessness and universality. Artists like Jacques-Louis David and Antonio Canova are key figures of the Neoclassical movement. The intellectual underpinnings of Neoclassicism were deeply connected to the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on reason, logic, and the rediscovery of classical ideals as models for contemporary society.