The Classical Era, which occurred during the 18th century, began with the Rococo art style (Rosalyn). Paintings from this era consisted of curves and soft colors, reflecting loose morals and aristocracy (Rosalyn). In the 1750s, the Rococo style began to shift drastically into the Neoclassical style, which coincided with the Enlightenment (Jones). Neoclassical paintings were based on order, simplicity, and moral values, resenting the light-heartedness of the Rococo era (Jones). Artists were brutally honest, exposing their audiences to the pain and hardship of the world, while expressing their need for morality and justice.
The Death of Socrates
Socrates' death was a profound moment in the history of mankind. This was a man who was willing to die rather than give up sharing his beliefs with the world ("The Death of Socrates"). In this painting, David has displayed the very concepts of moral virtue and self-sacrifice, an important theme in the Neoclassical period. David captures the moment when Socrates is about to drink the poison that would end his life, a life that would continue to impact the world for centuries to come.
David designed the painting in such a way that there are two diagonals crossing one another at the poison cup. This is a visual trait of the Neoclassical art style. David also captures the sorrow of this moment, with gray shadows surrounding the men as they all weep over the thought of Socrates' passing. The audience can feel their sadness, especially in the man who holds the cup and cannot even bear to look towards Socrates' direction.
A Young Woman of Frascati
This is another work by David, created sometime in 1775 or 1776 after he visited Rome, Italy ("A Young Woman of Frascati"). It is not one of David's great, famous masterpieces, but it caught my eye when I was looking at his drawings.
Even this drawing seems to be linear, from the edge of her bun to the the cuff of her right sleeve, and from her chin to the back of her dress. It conveys a feeling of peace, and perhaps sadness, through the woman's serious expression and the light on her face.
The drawing is much different from the previously discussed painting, "The Death of Socrates," but I still believe that it relates to the theme of morality in the Neoclassical era. The woman is dressed modestly, which surely tells the audience of her virtue, and she stares forward with purpose and a graceful poise. The picture is not violent, and there is not much information about its story, but perhaps there is a meaning to it. Perhaps David intended that his audience should admire her morality.
The Vanity of Human Wishes
"The Vanity of Human Wishes" is a long poem, written by Samuel Johnson in 1749 ("The Vanity of Human Wishes Introduction"). It is a perfect depiction of the hardcore honesty of Neoclassicism, as it discusses human weakness and our inclination to do wrong.
"Yet when the sense of sacred presence fires,
And strong devotion to the skies aspires,
Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind,
Obedient passions, and a will resign'd;
For love, which scarce collective man can fill;
For patience, sov'reign o'er transmuted ill;
For faith, that panting for a happier seat,
Counts death kind Nature's signal of retreat:
These goods for man the laws of Heav'n ordain,
These goods he grants, who grants the pow'r to gain;
With these celestial wisdom calms the mind,
And makes the happiness she does not find."
These are the final words of Johnson's poem, as he tells his audience that aspiring to be moral will give them wisdom. He concludes that those who cannot find happiness in life can still find great satisfaction in wisdom if they persevere without falling into worldly ways.
Though "The Vanity of Human Wishes" is not a painting, it may still cause a feeling of conviction in its audience. Readers may feel guilty as they read about the consequences that come with immoral actions, and they may feel hope that staying faithful and loving will give them wisdom, if not happiness in other ways. One of the biggest themes in the Neoclassical era was the importance of morality, and Johnson captured it beautifully through his poetry.
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