From 1750-1850 there were two prominent art styles: neoclassicism and romanticism. While neoclassicism rose to popularity around 1730-1760, romanticism didn't become as popular until later, around 1780. Neoclassical art was based on a Greek and Roman Style with an emphasis on society, while Romanticism was more heavily influenced by Medieval and Oriental influences with an emphasis on individuals. Neoclassical art was more about Euro-centric cities, Romantic art had a focus on nature and the exotic parts of the world. Some common themes found in neoclassicism are rationality, philosophy, and the enlightenment. On the other hand, romanticism focuses more on imagination, spirituality, and revolution.
Neoclassical
Art in the neoclassical period was a very severe and unemotional form of art inspired by the Greek and Roman periods. It was a bit of a change from the insanely dramatic Baroque style and the overused Rococo style. It is heavily inspired by the classical arts (Greek, Roman, ancient), and the term "neoclassical" refers to art that is more modern but inspired by antiquity.
Some famous artists of this time period included Jacques Louis David, Angelika Kauffmann, and William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Jacques Louis David is known for being the prominent artist of the neoclassical time period. His paintings had an air of severity and classical austerity. He was a big supporter of the French Revolution, and a close friend to Maximilien Robespierre and later Napoleon I. He is some of his paintings include The Oath of the Horatii, Napoleon Crossing the Alps, and Portrait of Pope Pius VII. Angelika Kauffmann had an unusually broad education for a girl, and was quite talented in all that she tried. No, literally she sang soprano, spoke 4 languages, and had such great art skills that she's still remembered to this day. Anyway, she decided to become a painter after her mother died. After that, she quickly rose to popularity all over the world. Some of her most famous pieces include Ferdinand IV, King of Naples, and his Family, Hesitating Between the Arts of Music and Painting, and Pliny the Younger and His Mother at Misenum. William-Adolphe Bouguereau was a French academic painter and staunch traditionalist who specialized in painting nude women. He was very popular in his time, and rich patrons loved his photorealistic style. His most commonly recognized paintings are The Birth of Venus, The Young Sherpardess, and L'Amour et Psyché, Enfants.
Some famous artists of this time period included Jacques Louis David, Angelika Kauffmann, and William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Jacques Louis David is known for being the prominent artist of the neoclassical time period. His paintings had an air of severity and classical austerity. He was a big supporter of the French Revolution, and a close friend to Maximilien Robespierre and later Napoleon I. He is some of his paintings include The Oath of the Horatii, Napoleon Crossing the Alps, and Portrait of Pope Pius VII. Angelika Kauffmann had an unusually broad education for a girl, and was quite talented in all that she tried. No, literally she sang soprano, spoke 4 languages, and had such great art skills that she's still remembered to this day. Anyway, she decided to become a painter after her mother died. After that, she quickly rose to popularity all over the world. Some of her most famous pieces include Ferdinand IV, King of Naples, and his Family, Hesitating Between the Arts of Music and Painting, and Pliny the Younger and His Mother at Misenum. William-Adolphe Bouguereau was a French academic painter and staunch traditionalist who specialized in painting nude women. He was very popular in his time, and rich patrons loved his photorealistic style. His most commonly recognized paintings are The Birth of Venus, The Young Sherpardess, and L'Amour et Psyché, Enfants.
Romantic
The romantic style of art rose to popularity around 1780, when artists who felt limited by the neoclassical style of art began creating more emotional pieces. It is called Romanticism because a strong influence on the style of art were the "romances," or stories such as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The art in that time period was often based on current events going on while the artists were painting, mostly tragic events. Some of the art is even inspired by Africa and the Orient. This style of art also shows a respect for nature and the time before industrialism.
Some famous artists of the time period included Eugene Delacroix, Caspar David Friedrich, and Francisco Goya. Delacroix, whose full name is Ferdinand Victor Eugene Delacroix, is famous for paintings such as Liberty Leading the People, The Death of Sardanapalus, and The Massacre at Chios. Some argue that he was the most impressive French romantic painter of all time. He got his inspiration from the art of Peter Paul Rubens and painters of the Venetian Renaissance. Caspar David Friedrich was more of a landscape painter than anything else, especially his allegorical landscapes which usually include a silhouette of a person up against a bright sky. Some of his works include Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon (sometimes called Two Men Contemplating the Moon), Cross in the Mountains, and Seashore by Moonlight. Friedrich was quite popular while he was alive, but fell from favor during the second half of the 1700s. Francisco Goya started as a Spanish court painter who quickly rose to popularity outside of his work. He is best remembered for his scenes of violence, such as Third of May 1808, Saturn Devouring his Sons, and The Disaster of War.
Some famous artists of the time period included Eugene Delacroix, Caspar David Friedrich, and Francisco Goya. Delacroix, whose full name is Ferdinand Victor Eugene Delacroix, is famous for paintings such as Liberty Leading the People, The Death of Sardanapalus, and The Massacre at Chios. Some argue that he was the most impressive French romantic painter of all time. He got his inspiration from the art of Peter Paul Rubens and painters of the Venetian Renaissance. Caspar David Friedrich was more of a landscape painter than anything else, especially his allegorical landscapes which usually include a silhouette of a person up against a bright sky. Some of his works include Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon (sometimes called Two Men Contemplating the Moon), Cross in the Mountains, and Seashore by Moonlight. Friedrich was quite popular while he was alive, but fell from favor during the second half of the 1700s. Francisco Goya started as a Spanish court painter who quickly rose to popularity outside of his work. He is best remembered for his scenes of violence, such as Third of May 1808, Saturn Devouring his Sons, and The Disaster of War.