To What Degree Are The Political Revolutions Of Th

2706 Words11 Pages
To what degree are the political revolutions of the late 18th century and 19th century in Europe reflected in the art that was produced during the same period? Following the political changes of the early modern period throughout Europe, there is strong evidence to conclude that the political revolution and thought had an indelible influence on the art created. Furthermore this art then entered in a dialogue with its audience to challenge and propel the political revolution. Focusing primarily on France I hope to prove that the idealist philosophy of the 1789 revolution is reflected in Neo-classic painting, and more specifically by the works of the renowned artist and revolutionary Jacque Louis-David. Looking closely at the composition and subject matter of his paintings, there are obvious visual and rhetorical links to the Roman Republic that the French revolutionaries aimed to emulate. I will also argue that his later works became even more politicised due to his involvement and the influence of the French revolution. The second example which demonstrates the strong effect of revolutionary thought on art comes from the 1848 revolution, also in France. The 1848 political revolution in France brought with it a cultural revolution and the public became a prominent audience for the arts. Arnason in his History of Modern Art describes this change in art exhibitions as “vast public affairs in which thousands of paintings were hung and thousands rejected for the revolutionary attempt to ‘democratize’”[1]. Arnason also goes on to say that “The industrial expansion of the nineteenth century created a new and prosperous class” however he fails to mention the other class created during this time, that of the impoverished worker. This is the class that creates the feeling of unease in 1848, and the people of whom painters such as Courbet use to reflect the ideals of the
Open Document