Classicism in the Visual Arts in the Renaissance

Classical artists get their values from classical antiquity (ancient Greece and Rome), particularly the philosophers (e.g. Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, the Stoics).  These values include objective reason, rationality, logic, and restraint of emotions.  Classicists admire the "virtuous man," a man well developed physically, intellectually, and morally  (for Plato, virtue consisted of temperance, courage, prudence, and justice).  A virtuous man is socially minded; he participates in keeping his society moral, safe, and orderly.  He has civic virtue. 


Classical values / ideals:

      Stillness, Calmness, Stability, Confidence, Optimism, Endurance / Timelessness 

     Classical art is Sensible, Balanced, Non-fantastical.  It stresses Order, Planning, Design, Simplicity. 

     Source of "knowledge"  -  grounded in "reality" - science, empirical testing, analysis, book learning.  
                                               (Aristotle was the founder of formal logic and empirical science.)



Ancient Greek and Roman Art and Greek and Roman Architecture 


Major themes in architecture are simplicity (a lack of ornateness), strength, and endurance.  Greek and Roman columns and arches are common symbols in Neoclassical art and architecture. 

Maison Carrée, (Roman temple), Nimes, France, 2 A.D.

Roman sculpture, unlike Greek sculpture, is idealistic instead of realistic.  For instance, a Greek bust of Socrates shows how ugly Socrates was (he had a pug nose), but everyone in Roman sculptures is handsome/beautiful.  Neoclassical art of the late 18th century leans heavily towards the Roman idealization of the "perfected man."

Emperor Augustus Caesar (63 B.C. - 14 A.D)

Calm, confident, virtuous leader of his people. 

 c. 1450 - 1550  -  High Renaissance Art 

Renaissance art reflected Renaissance humanism, new ideas on man's relationships to other men and God.  Renaissance humanism was inspired by a renewed interest in Neoplatonism and the writings of ancient Romans like Cicero and Virgil. 

The basic idea of humanism was that man, using his intellect, could rise up near God and "commune with the angels."  But a man who neglected his intellect would become vegetative (only a plant).  This idea combated the medieval idea of the Great Chain of Being - that man was fixed in his social position for life at the time of his birth; he was born to be what God wanted him to be.  This ability to "rise up" corresponded to the beginnings of a new "middle class" of commoner in nascent capitalism (merchants, bankers).  

Michelangelo -  The Creation of Adam  1508 - 1512

Calm, intelligent, self-assured, moral goodness

Albrect Dürer (German) self portrait, 1500

Dürer in a Christ-like representation.  The light on the forehead indicates an active, glowing mind.

Michelangelo - David, 1501 - 1504

Renaissance man; calm, poised, capable, courageous.

Raphael - The School of Athens, 1509 - 1511

Raphael's veneration of the philosophers of antiquity, with Plato and Aristotle in the center.

Renaissance Architecture

Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France, 1556 - 1576

Chateau of French queen Catherine de' Medici.  Catherine brought Italian violinists to France and French composers began to make important contributions to orchestral music and opera.  She also combined music and dance initiating ballet.