Neoclassicism vs Romanticism

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rules, embrace a traditional, structured lifestyle. Breaking free from the idea that kings were God’s representatives on earth, religious opinions and views began to change as a search for something outside of kings is responsible for existence; a search for natural law. They view humans as imperfect with limited ability to succeed individually and shift toward a morality based rather than grace based concept. With the view of human individuals as “evil” with limitations, the focus shifted away from the individual and focused on society. They believe it is better to have small obtainable goals and succeed rather than setting a higher goal and failing. John Locke philosophy of “social contract theory” is accepted. He analyzes logically “how the mind works, argues for religious toleration, and maintained that the government is justified not by divine right but by a social contract that is broken if the person’s natural rights are not respected”. (Brooklyn College, 2000) With the rise in power of the middle class, social order began to change. This movement is one of new ideas, expansion and technology with new money and wealth acquired through trade. Education was on the rise since the Renaissance period; with the source of new money and the affordability of books and engraved drawings, it was easy to spread the Neoclassicism philosophy. With the “endless flux of event and feeling” (Brooklyn College, 2000), a new emphasis on strict conventions and forms is expressed through the revival of classical styles, personifying harmony and unity, order and balance. Artists used Greek and Roman art for models using their works as an expression of their world around them, sometimes accepted and others times challenging the status quo. The Neoclassical movement known as the “Age of Enlightment” is prefaced on the sense of reason and logic. Just as reason should guide their
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