The Finding of Morality in the Classical Era

ERA OF CLASSICAL ART

        The Classical Era of art consisted of two popular styles; rococo and neoclassical. With rococo art coming first it was detailed as light-hearted, rich and delicate, pastel colors, curving shapes and more. Artists looked at rococo art as the enjoyment of art making. Although it can be seen as romantic at time, it usually did not reflect real life in any way, shape or form. Rococo art influenced the art within that time until around 1775, bringing in the Neoclassical style. The characteristics of Neoclassical consisted of simplicity through its linework and colors. This style consisted of moral virtues, self-sacrifice, and good deeds. It also was seen as capturing a specific moment and turning that into an art piece. 

CONNECTION WITH MORALITY

    The connection between classical art and morality have different ways of being shown. The Rococo style didn't embrace morality as it was believed that during this era "rococo style was a symbol of the moral decline of the French Leadership." (Hallan) This style began to be replaced due to the want of morality within art. As mentioned, it was a style of the enjoyment of art making and didn't focus on conveying a moral message or meaning. On the other hand, Neoclassical symbolized morality to be implicated in the art world. It had the main belief that art should portray absolute righteousness and a moral message. Therefore, the artwork during the Classical era depicted how morality was shown through these two styles. We will dig deeper talk more about this in every piece shown as well. 

The Stolen Kiss by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. 1787. France

        This painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Stolen Kiss was created in France 1787. It is an oil on canvas painting with the dimensions of 19x25in. Upon looking at this painting, you can feel the nervousness and romance of it. As the young girl receives the kiss you can feel the nervousness but profound love she had for her lover. This painting portrays a frozen moment in time of a passionate secret romance. During those times, courtship was popular amongst the women with intimacy and marriage. It seems as though these two individuals were not supposed to be intimate with one another as you can see the young women is leaning in for a kiss but looking away. The nervous look was detailed as "the knowledge of the coming storm" (Artble) as she knew this romance couldn't last. 

        The neoclassicism style in this painting is apparent as you can see the morals of this painting. This painting shows self-sacrifice as this young women knew the repercussions of her secret romance, but had unconditional love for her lover. This painting was beautifully made as the sober colors, texture, linework, value and tone are shown so well. The colors within this painting make it feel romantic, light and soft. While also the tone within her dress and the background allow the young woman to stand out. Texture through the clothing and curtains are shown as wrinkles, creases and tones create that texture effect. As neoclassical work has simplistic in linework, you can see that as these lines are styled to create that realistic look. . 

Stolen Eggs by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. 1756. France.

        The painting of Stolen Eggs was created in France by Jean Baptiste in 1756. It is an oil on canvas painting with dimensions of 73x94cm. The emotions bouncing off this painting gives anger, disappointment, ashamed, hope and confusion. Each figure was all indulged in the losing of the young woman's virginity. Greuze created this painting with a young woman holding her hands, looking distraught as a basket full of eggs are broken. Alongside her is a young man and older woman seen as arguing and being held back. The little boy to the lower right side is seen as trying to salvage the eggs. The message created from this painting "symbolizes the loss of virginity" (TheArtStory) of the young woman as once you lose it, it can't be undone. Just as breaking an egg, it can't be unbroken.     

        This painting depicted the transition of the rococo style to neoclassical. As Greuze was known for his rococo style, he also began to support the rise of neoclassicism. You can see the rococo style through the rich, pastel colors, and romance. While you can see the neoclassicism through this painting as it delivered a message of morality and loss of those moral virtues. It can also be said that she looks distraught as she know she sacrificed her morality through the loss of her virginity. Both styles delivered many artistic elements; texture, color, and tone and value. You can see the texture through the clothes of the figures within the painting, creasing and wrinkles and within the little boys hair as well. Color was able to show that texture and create depth and lightness to the painting. The rich, pastel and simple colors were a great reference to both styles of rococo and neoclassicism. The tone of the colors was able to also create the shine on the young woman to direct the attention to her, to portray the message of the painting. 

Cornelia, Mother of Gracchi, Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures by Angelica Kauffman. 1785. London/Rome. 

        

        Angelica Kauffman, painter of Cornelia, Mother of Gracchi, Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures created this piece in the London/Rome area in 1785. The dimensions of this oil on canvas painting is 40x50 in. Just looking at this painting you can feel the love, sympathy and humbleness. The mother looks at her children as she looks dearly at them with love and sympathy. While you can feel the humbleness and possibly embarrassment of the woman to the right. As Kauffman painted this piece it shows an "ancient Roman women who was the mother of future political leaders." (Martin) Cornelia the mother of the three children is in the middle of a teaching as the woman to the far right has come to show off jewelry and treasures. It was created with the showing that upon being asked to show her jewelry, she brought forth her children.     

        The neoclassicism is shown through the message of real and precious treasures being children. Especially to a woman and a mother, children are their most prized and precious treasures. Women weren't searching for material treasures, but found that she already had that through her children. It was also understood that the future lies upon children which makes them so cherished. Digging into the artistic style and elements you can again see the use of color, tone and shading, and texture. Color, tone and shading is what helps create that look of texture, which you can see within their clothes and blanket on the side table. Neoclassical color always worked with simple colors, as the figures clothes were all simple and simply colored as well. 

MY OPINION

        Each piece is so beautifully made and has a message to each one which makes you feel interested. The Stolen Kiss is a show of profound love and secrecy which makes it such an admiring piece. I can relate to it as I have had a hard time of being able to show love as that isn't usually how I look to present myself. While Stolen Eggs has such a deep but true message to be shown that it makes it such a great piece. Lastly the painting of Cornelia and Her Children is such a thoughtful and loving piece as I am sure all mothers feel the same. I believe all of these pieces should be within exhibits or museums as they should be seen by as many people as possible. I don't think I would own these within my own home as they wouldn't go with the aesthetic that I prefer but that doesn't take away their beauty.  

References:

“Broken Eggs.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436579. 

“The Stolen Kiss.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436325.

Martin, Dana. “Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures.” Smarthistory, 7 Jan. 2016, smarthistory.org/angelica-kauffmann-cornelia-pointing-to-her-children-as-her-treasures/.

Hallan, Noelle. “Morality and the Art of the Classical Era.” Noelle Hallan’s Art Blog ’16, Wordpress, 29 Feb. 2016, nhallanartblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/morality-and-the-art-of-the-classical-era/.

tlkester. “Morality and the Art of the Classical Era.” Tlkester, Wordpress, 16 Oct. 2013, tlkester.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/morality-and-the-art-of-the-classical-era/.

Jones, Muffet. “The Rococo and Neoclassicism.” Introduction To Art, Boise State University, 2024, boisestate.pressbooks.pub/arthistory/chapter/rococo-and-neoclassicism/.

“The Stolen Kiss.” Artble, Artble, 2024, www.artble.com/artists/jean-honore_fragonard/paintings/the_stolen_kiss.

“Jean-Baptiste Greuze.” The Art Story, 2024, www.theartstory.org/artist/greuze-jean-baptiste/.