Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism is a movement of the revival of a simple style of ancient Greece and/ or ancient Rome in ornamental arts, literature, architecture, and music. One such movement was dominant in Europe from the mid-18th to the nineteenth centuries. Neoclassicism focuses on symmetry, primarily with the use of circles and squares. The use of triangular pediments and domed roofs is in addition prevalent among Neoclassical architecture. These characteristics were affected by the Age of Reasons ideas that architecture should be logical and balanced instead of over decorative. Neoclassicism was prestigious in the decorative arts too.Furniture was intentional by designers and produced by piece of furniture makers. One famous architect who designed furniture is Robert cristal. In melodic line to the cabriole style leg, he used straight legs and he designed his birth patterns on the backs of his chair. Robert Adams decorative arts can be seen in the interiors, such as in the Etruscan Room (figure 1) at Osterley special K House. Here, Robert Adam uses classical Roman decorative motifs excite by Herculaneum and Pompeii. Adam also designed flat grotesque panels, which were inspired from Roman wall painting painting. figure 1Although neoclassical architecture was primarily influenced by Roman and Grecian architecture, it become a movement of its own, with its own standards and leading figures. The Rotunda (figure 2) by Andrea Palladio was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. It in turn, was inspired by Brunelleschis prototype walled pointed arch dome. The large windows used became know as Palladian windows, which is a prominent feature in neoclassical architecture. The Rotunda then influenced the Chiswick House (figure 3) designed by Lord Burlington. The Chiswick House has a simple symmetrical visualise and consist of many Palldian style architectural elements.The Chiswick House then influenced doubting Thomas Jeffresons Monticello in the United States. figure 2figur e 3 By the new 18th century, Thomas Jefferson had embraced the neoclassical style in his designs for Monticello (figure 4) and the Virginia State Capitol (figure 5). Monticello was found on the neoclassical principles of Andrea Palladio. Monticello is similar in appearance to the Chiswick House. The Virginia State Capitol is the start Neoclassical building in the United States, inspired by the mason Carae, with Etruscan stairs, portico, and triangular pediment. Jefferson advocated Neoclassicism as the official rchitectural style of the United States, also cognise as the Federal style after the American Revolution. For Jefferson, it implied new state by tracing its roots back to Greece, the origin of democracy. (figure 4)(figure 5) Neoclassicism was more than simply an antique revival it was a reaction against the over decorative churrigueresque Art and the Rococo Art of the times. Striving for equality after the regeneration of United States and France, Neoclassicism quickl y expanded and influenced Europe and North America in decorative arts, literature, architecture, and music.In the end, it also lead people to a new government agency of thinking. Bibliography Buie Harwood, Bridgate May, and Curt Sherman, Architecture and Interior Design through the 18th Century. cyclopaedia Britannica, NEOCLASSICISM, http//lilt. ilstu. edu/jhreid/neoclassicism. htm Architecture 411, Neo-Classical Architecture, http//www. architecture411. com/notes/note. php? id_note=6 GreatBuildings, Neo-Classical Architecture, http//www. greatbuildings. com/types/styles/neo-classical. html