The Neoclassical era (ca. 1750 – 1815) was when two distinct moments in time, classical antiquity and the mid-eighteenth to early nineteenth century, were connected through art, architecture, and literature. Classical art from the Greco-Roman period had a strong influence upon the art of the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Artists working in this style were looking at ancient art and architecture, particularly Classical statuary, as few examples of ancient painting survived. And there were specific sculptural pieces that were revered above all others; like the Apollo Belvedere. In this lecture, I will discuss the Classical influences that shaped the Neoclassical style, as well as the hallmarks of that style, by looking at specific pieces from both eras and from the VMFA’s collection. I will also discuss topics like early archaeology and the growing scholarly interest in antiquity to lay a foundation for the cultural zeitgeist within which these artists were working.
