18th+Century+Art+and+Music




=**18th Century/Restoration Art and Music** =

Brittney Flood
**__Introduction__**

The eighteenth century in Europe is usually called "The Enlightenment". The ideas and principles that stemmed from the Enlightenment led to much progress throughout Europe and led to many new artistic and philosophical ideas and ways.Many different styles and movements of art emerged and many different groups of artists emerged as well. A forerunner movement of eighteenth century was the Neoclassical movement. Neoclassical styles were created to go against the popular Baroque and Rococo movements. This type of art is characterized by its sense of order, logic, and realism, and was mastered by many British artists during the Restoration and eighteenth century.

This style of art was a deliberate rebellion against Baroque and Rococo style of art, and was a desire to turn back to the purity of classical art in Rome. Instead of the pastel and hazy colors used in Baroquea and Rococo art, Neoclassical art used hard, sharp lines, and chiaroscuro; the use of harsh values and hard edges.
 * __Neoclassical Art__**

Popular artists of this time period and style include Jacque-Louis David and Jean-Antoine Houdon.

__Jacque-Louis David__ (1748-1825) was a political painter during French and British Revolution. One of his most famous works is called "The Death of Marat". This was a painting about a political newswriter who killed himself. David wanted to expose his political ideals to the public through his art.

__Jean-Antoine Houdon__ (1741-1828) is a famous British sculptor. He is most famous for his scultpors and busts of philosophers, inventors, and political figures during the Enlightenment. Quite possibly his most famous bust is that of Benjamin Franklin. The interesting fact about this sculpture is that Houdon saw Franklin for a split second in a cafe in Europe and quickly sketched him; so Franklin never sat for the sculpting. This is quite amazing because the bust is extremely accurate and detailed perfectly.

Popular British artists during the eighteenth century and Restoration are William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Rowlandosn, and Joshua Reynolds

__William Hogarth__ (1697-1764) was a major Britsh painter, political satirist, social critic, and cartoonist. He is most known for his sattirical paintings. "Roast Beef of Old England" is essentially making fun of the Catholic church and other religious struggles that were going on at that time.

__Thomas Gainsborough__ (1682-1739) was a famous landscape painter. Painting and music came hand in hand to Gainsborough, and he valued each subject very much. He is famous for "Mrs. Richard Brimsley Sheridan". His essential goal was to "paint music".

__Thomas Rowlandson__ (1756-1827) was known for his robust humor, exuberance, and flowing painting style. He would print caricatures of famous people and situations. "Discomforts of an Epicure" is a famous caricature that Rowlandson did of himself, that proved he could aim his comical paintings at himself and not just at famous politicians and people.

__Joshua Reynolds__ (1723-1792) was the most important figure in British painting during the eighteenth century. He specialized in portrait painting and in "The Grand Style" of painting, which focused on the beauty of imperfections. He was one of the founders, along with Gainsborough, of the Royal Academy, and was even recognized for his talents and knighted by King George III. His soft painting, "Strawberry Girl", accentuates his true talents that he has mastered with painting and shows why he is an important figure in British painting.  During the Restoration in Britain and England, there was much progress in the colonies and cities of that time period. This was a benefit from the newly formed and stable government, which allowed for many new industries to be successful. The success of these industries, merchants, and traders led to them having extra money and time to travel to opera houses and music lounges. England soon became the place to go to for the newest music. There was soon a wave of musicians and singers/songwriters looking for fame and fortune that fled to England. Among these hopefuls was the great George Frederick Handel. "Handel was the greatest composter to ever live. I would bare my head and bow to his grave." -Beethoven (1824)
 * __18th Century Music__**

__George Frederick Handel__ (1685-1759) was most famous for his operas, oratortios (large musical compostitions including an orchestra, choir, and soloists), and concerti grossi. Handel was strongly influenced by the musicians of the previous Italian Baroque Era, although he created an entirely new concept and ideal of composed music. He strongly influenced other big time composers like Mozart, and from quote above, it is seen that Beethoven highly praised Handel's work and was a big fan of his. One of his previous homes has recently been turned into the "Handel House Museum" in England. Some of his most well known pieces are //Messiah, Zadok the Priest,// and //Music for the Royal Fireworks,// and he is most famous for //Messiah.// His compostions include 42 operas, 120 cantanas, and 29 oratorios. [|More Information About British Artists] [|18th Century Art] [|More About Music in the 18th Century]

**SCAVENGER HUNT QUESTIONS** (These can be found on this page) 1. What two styles of art was the Neoclassical movement a rebellion against? 2. What was "The Death of Marat" about and who painted it? 3. Who was known for his use of sattire in his paintings? 4. What is an oratorio? How many of them did Handel compose? 5. How did merchants and traders have extra time and money to travel to the opera houses and see different musicians?