Historical Periods Presentation

Kayren Ndirangu, Carla, Garza, Jessica Sevilla, Jason Mesa, & Jennifer Hanna

MTE/533

September 29, 2014

Bethanie Hansen

Neoclassical and Classical Defining Characteristics

Classical

Music

o short and clear melodies that defines musical phases with two or more contrasting

themes

o rhythm is defined and regular

o mostly homophonic texture

o symphony orchestra was organized into four sections - strings, woodwind, brass

and percussion. The harpsichord was seldom used

http://www.live365.com/genres/classical

Visual art

o formal and restrain

o depicts elegance, beautiful still- life, and fanciful depictions of outdoor

entertainment.

Drama (theater)

o Preformed in daylight

o evolved from Athenian public and religious life

o done in a large outdoor arena with 14,000 spectators

o actors wore masks that functioned as megaphones and platform shoes

Dance (ballet)

o formal; following traditional ballet techniques

o its graceful, flowing and precise movements and ghostly qualities

o five foundational positions, all performed with “turnout” (outward rotation of the

thighs from the hip), are based on the principles of aplomb (stability), rigors and

clarity

o uses pointe technique

Neoclassical

Dance (ballet)

o draws on the advanced techniques of academic ballet, exploring its content and

respecting its codes

o dancer use extreme tempos and technical feats

o use flexed hands, feet occasional, turned-in legs, off-centered positions and

o wears non-classical costumes to distance themselves from the classical and

romantic ballet traditions

o uses traditional ballet vocabulary

Music

o inspired by traditional elements of classical music, including emotional restraint,

balance, order and clarity

o focus on restoring the link to musical tradition following a wave of musical

experimentation at the beginning of the 20th century

http://www.last.fm/tag/neoclassical

Drama (theater)

o five basic rules: purity of form, five acts, verisimilitude or realism, decorum and

purpose

o defined by the ideas and styles of ancient Greek and Roman societies

o focus on dignified behavior, and realism,

o believed that the primary reasons for a play were to provide entertainment and to

teach a lesson

Visual Arts: The aspiration of neoclassicism was to restore the "purity" of the art of

Rome. Artists added fabled beings, and mythological figures to the artworks which

became common during the neoclassical period.

o linear design

o integrated classical motifs

o represented political events and serious events

o subjects in archaeological settings

o people are wearing classical clothing

Significant Artist of the Time Period

Neoclassical

1660-1798

Johann Sebastian Bach (composer)

Jacques Louis David (painter)

Benjamin West (painter)

Jean-August-Dominique Ingres

(painter)

Angelica Kauffmann (painter)

Jean-Germain Drouais (painter)

Roucy-Trioson (painter)

Classical

1750-1825

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(composer)

Ludwin Von Bethoven (composer)

Joseph Hayden (composer)

Franz Shubert (Composer)

Christoph Gluck (composer)

Van Cliburn (musician)

Francisco de Goya (painter)

Eugene Delacroix (painter)

Classical

1750-1825

Ludwin Van Bethoven

Neoclassical

1660-1798

Jean-August-Dominique Ingres

Relevant Time Frame

Visual Art

o The neoclassical period presented a shift to a more serious unemotional form of

art. A rise in painting, architecture, and sculpture marks the beginning of the

neoclassical period. Specifically between 1640 and 1850 ("Neoclassical Art

(flourished 1770-1830)", n.d.).

o Originated in Rome and spread north to France, England, Sweden, and Russia,

then west to the United States. Time periods for neoclassical art differ among

countries with classical pieces appearing as late as 1886 in Britain ("Neoclassical

Art (flourished 1770-1830)", n.d.).

o Neoclassical Architecture 1640-1850

o Neoclassical Painting 1750-1860

o Neoclassical Sculpture 1750-1850 ("Neoclassical Art (flourished 1770-1830)",

n.d.)

Drama

o Drama during the Neoclassical was prevalent in France. Time frame for drama

during this period peaked during the 17th and 18th centuries (Bloomsbury

Publishing Plc., 2014).

Music

o During the neoclassical and classical art period, a classical style of music

appeared. The timeframe for classical music was 1750-1830 (Naxos Digital

Services Ltd., 2014). Neoclassical Music, came at a much later time frame than

classical music. Following the romantic periods, neoclassical music peaked

between 1920-1930 (Credo Reference, 2014).

Where the Movement Originated

Neoclassical:

The movement started as a rebellion against the rococo style, which symbolized French

aristocracy.

This movement coincided with the 18th century, which is the Age of Enlightenment.

Classical:

Classicism was a recurrent tendency in the Late Antique period, and had a major revival

in Carolingian and Ottonian art.

How Society was Involved

Neoclassical:

Neoclassicism was especially strong in those areas where classical examples were most

abundant, such as in architecture and sculpture.

Classical:

o Classicism is a specific genre of philosophy, expressing itself in literature, architecture,

art, and music, which has Ancient Greek and Roman sources and an emphasis on society.

Important Events During this Era:

During the Neo-Classical and Classical era there was a paradigm shift and a transformation that

involved both physical and ideological changes that would stem from the idea of deduction and

scientific though. It would lead to the beginning of multiple, yet influential forms of thought and

would change the dynamics of art and overall lifestyle in the 18th century. The three notable

features and historical events of the times would go as follows:

o “The Age Of Enlighenment”-

o Also known as the “Age Of Reason” focused on individuality and went against

tradition.

o Promoted intellectual interchange

o Opposed superstition and used logic to arrive at rational conclusions that were

tested against evidence and then revised if needed.

o “The Industrial Revolution”

o This was an era that featured a breakthrough in manufacturing practices most

noticeably the development of the steam engine.

o This era was also marked by the shift in hand production to machine productions.

o Improved efficiency and also introduced the usage of machine tools for

production.

o “The Scientific Revolution”

o Overturned many traditional ideas and was closely tied to the enlightenment.

o Placed a new perspective on life and man’s existence in nature and the world.

o Introduced the Scientific method and promoted a rationalistic process.

All of these events helped shape and influenced society in a major way. They provided people

with increased sources of income and boosted the economy. These ideas gave the population a

burst of empowerment that went beyond simply providing for their families. Instead it provided a

freedom of expression and the right to challenge and embrace their own freedom of thought. It

was a definite turning point in the lives of many scholars and artist who contributed to this era.

References

Bing images. (n.d.). [Image of Ludwin Von Bethoven]. Retrieved from

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Ludwig+Van+Beethoven&Form=IQFRDR#view

=detail&id=C1D9A8B2A531A185ADE5473EC76A3436A417337A&selectedIndex=49

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.. (2014). Neoclassical. Retrieved from

http://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/periods/neoclassical-iid-2349

Credo Reference. (2014). Neoclassicism (music). Retrieved from

http://search.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/content/entry/cre/neoclassici

sm_music/0

Euclides59. (2012). [Image of Jean-August-Dominique Ingres]. Retrieved from

http://euclides59.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/la-gra-odalisca-jean-

auguste-dominique-ingres/

Digital dream door. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best-

classic-comp.html

Naxos Digital Services Ltd.. (2014). History of Classical Music. Retrieved from

http://www.naxos.com/education/brief_history.asp

Neoclassical Art (Flourished 1770-1830). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.visual-arts-

cork.com/history-of-art/neo-classical.htm

Neoclassical art. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/neo-

classical.htm

Bronner, Stephen. The Great Divide: The Enlightenment and its Critics (1995)