Began 18th century developed through 19th century.
1760-17902.
Looks to Classical Greek Sculpture from 5th Century BC and Classical architecture from the Italian High Renaissance.
The word 'Classical' was frequently used in opposition to the word 'Baroque' when describing different styles during the 17th Century.
Leading international style of the 2nd half of the 18th century. Revolutionized architecture from the late 1750s. Patrons and designers looked at the art and architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Archaeological discoveries started in late 30’s at Herculaneum and Pompeii, near Naples stimulated new ideas.
A breaking away from the Mannerist concern with "submitting decoration to order."1
French Classicism is not Academicism which is characterized
by "too thoroughly subjugated to rules, paralyzing transport and
imagination, and hence a mere caricature of true Classicism."1
Richelieu (1624-1642) and Mazarin (1642-1661)
The painting of Poussin and Philippe de
Champaigne
The philosophy of Descartes, the religious thought of Pascal, and the tragedies
of Corneille
The architecture of Jacques de Mercier (Church of the Sorbonne), Francois
Mansart (Hotel Lambert, Paris and Maisons-Lafitte), and Louis le Vau (Chateau de
Vaux-le-Vicomte). "Using a rich but controlled vocabulary, clearing
organizing masses by underlining the essential, they were for more than a
century, to define the criteria of an 'architecture a la francaise', both
experienced and innovative."1
Examples in sculpture include funerary momuments, Jacques Sarrazin who decorated
Mansart's edifices, created the caryatids of the Louvre Pavillion de l'Horloge,
and whose students decorated the gardens of Versailles
The style was introduced by Robert Adam, William Chambers, and James Stuart, all whom studied in Rome. Designers inspired by two types of classical objects. They used the antique vase for all sorts of vessels from coffee pots to stoves, and classical tripod altars became models for candle stands and candelabra.
Made from marble, lead, terrcota, bronze. Terracota used as
a prep for most sculpture.
Took awhile for galleries to be set up for sculpture.
Garden sculpture one main venue. Not finished, exposed.
Gardens at Stowe have allegorical/political meaning.
1720/30’s Classically oriented, use of mythology, but a Britishness celebrated
in a Temple of Saxon dieties.
Risebrack (sp?) from the Netherlands, worked Britian:
King akin to Jupiter. Suna akin to Apollo
1730’s: His rival Roubiliac, French, was a little more
Rococo.
SOURCES
1) Musee d'Louvre. 2003 (Poussin Folder)
2) Victoria & Albert Museum, London. 2002.