Humanities Study Guide

Humanities Study Guide

Jacques-Louis David is the most famous Neoclassical painter of this era. His viewers were shocked and inspired by his ability to use Ancient Roman influences and balance them with Neoclassical principles. These principles had an educational purpose, purity of form, and deep passion balanced with good taste and simplicity in place of whimsy. Another celebrated artist of the time is Eugene Delacroix , who illustrated a French translation of Goethe's Faust. Delacroix is the best known for his ability to use color and lines to define an atmosphere of erotic violence. Architecture Architecture was unique during this time as well; it commonly featured modest exteriors with a wistful mood. Although the exteriors were modest, the interiors were fancifully decorated with different themes. Neoclassical architecture drew on the collection of drawings of Ancient Roman buildings like in Palladio's Four Books of Architecture. It was known for its balance, simplicity, and geometric regularity. One of the most famous Neoclassical architects was American Thomas Jefferson . He studied the Neoclassical style while he was serving in France. He felt it represented European culture and the Enlightenment era. He adapted the style for projects in America, including his country estate Monticello. Dance Professional dance developed quickly in the 18th century thanks to the Parisian Opera's professional dance school. Marie Anne de Cupis Camargo was among the most prominent dancers of the period. She was known for dancing with great technical virtuosity. Innovations in ballet training and costume were important as well. The high heels that were previously used for dance were replaced with slippers, and the skirt was shortened to show the dancer's movements. Professional ballerinas were emerging in this developing world, along with the new technique of "en pointe." This involved using slippers with hardened wood toes to dance on their tiptoes, as ballerinas still do today. Marie Taglioni was one of the first famous ballerinas, gaining fame from her performance in La Sylphide. Literature During this time, the literacy rates had grown and contributed to the rise in popularity of the novel. People were eager for self-improvement and wanted books to uplift and entertain them. Novels became more popular and influential during this time. They often featured realistic characters and settings. There were long, narrative formats, sometimes even a journal or letter-style format— characters in these novels were introspective and used subtlety and sentimentality. The French public wanted sensuality in their life, and loved works such as those by the English poet Lord Byron , who emphasized the romantic notions of individuality and the feelings of living a life with

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