Neoclassicism and Realism

Posted: December 10th, 2013

The assignment is designed to set the background of the Romantic Movement in France that initiated the changes in attitude of the emerging artists of the mid-19th century (mid-1800s) with the decision to challenge the dominance of the French Academy’s support of Neoclassicism and outright rejection of the artists who wanted to invent new styles and use new visual content drawn from their lives in rural France and lifestyles (their) life in Paris.

For example, select David’s painting of Napoleon Crossing the Belvedere and compare it to any one of Millet’s realist paintings like The Rock Breakers to understand the visual dynamic of the differences between Neoclassicism and Realism.