Neo-Classicism and Romanticism

Main assumptions behind neo-classicism
Firstly, the most general assumption behind neo-classicism is French Revolution. The Reign of Napoleon is eager to establish nationalism of France and his own influence. There are two works recording the process--The work by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, and by Jacque Louis David in 1806-07.
Secondly, the museum system in France in 18th century is an important assumption behind neo-classicism. Since French Revolution, all treasures, including classical paintings, which once belonged to the king, are gathered together to represent the nation in public museum – Louvre. The collection in Louvre comes to be a linear art history since it creates relationship between different arts. In this linear history, Greek and Roman classical art tradition are considered to be the highest principle. The idea to emulate classical art becomes the basic assumption of neo- classicism. by Hubert Robert in 1796, presents situation of Louvre Museum at that time.
Thirdly, the art education system in France is highly related to neo-classicism. The France Academy asked students to copy past master- piece in Louvre. Original classical works, for instance Renaissance work , are emulated by artists in 18th century which turn out to be new work of art, defined as work of neoclassicism. Another typical example is by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, which emulate , the work of Raphael during 1512-1513.
Fourthly, the Salon System in France is also an important assumption behind neo- classicism. Expending Paris Salon as universal exhibition makes neo-classicism as an international excepted conception. It becomes the model how to understand art with the idea of the development. For instance, 1787 by German artist Johann Tischbein, shows the influence of neo-classicalism out of France. With the universal exhibition, the neo-classicalism becomes an international language.

Main assumptions behind Romanticism
Firstly, the political context related to reign of Napoleon is important assumption behind Romanticism. Napoleon wants to expend the influence of France that brings about the tension between France and many regions. For instance, when French army comes to Spain, the opposition is very strong, not only because of nationalism, but also the religious reason, since Spain is a very catholic country. After 1840, when Spain becomes independent again, the new king of Spain asks Goya to paint two paintings to comment on the crucial war between France and Spain. In by Goya, French is showed to be brutal that French soldiers are in cloth but Spain soldiers are nude. Through this painting, Goya thinks about human nature, which means it is not only the French who do rude to Spanish. There are no good or bad guys. Human nature is perfect and rational only if good house, education, law is ensured. Otherwise, people may be stupid. He finds the dark side of human nature. It is very different from neo-classicism. Another instance is Germany. When Napoleon enters Berlin in 1808, Germans are exciting at first since Germany is under monarchy at that time. But very soon, Germans think about themselves. The turning point is Battle of Leipzig in 1813 that create German Nationalism. German Artist, Caspar David Friedrich, prints in 1813, the year of battle of Leipzig. This painting shows a lonely French solider and strong Germany forests. The forest is very symbolic context that presents the unification of German. Further more, the idea of landscape is entirely opposite to French tradition.
Secondly, variety of different local situations is another important assumption behind Romanticism. It means that artists from different regions sometimes look back to their own past to create works. For instance, Germans look to Germany’s past. Joseph Wintergerst paints in 1828, which use local German Gothic element to go opposite to Enlightenment in France. Caspar David Friedrich also makes such works. The work made in 1809-1810, use German tree, oak, to present poetic topic of sadness winter and past in Germany. Further more, the different local situations brings about more than one standard to create work. For instance, many paintings by Goya present individual emotions, such as angry and scary, which is related to contemporary issue more than past things.
Thirdly, the religions in different local situations are also an important assumption behind Romanticism. Artists are inspired by religion of their regions to create works. For instance, Johann Overbeck, the German artist, creates during 1829-1840. This painting shows the idea that the good art is glory of religion.

Aims
The similarity in aims of these two movements is that they both want to be significant and make influence. As it mentioned before, the Universal exhibition in 19th century is international influenced. In 1855, it is first time that retrospective appears in the exhibition. It is Theodore Gericault, belonged to neo-classicalism, who creates , 1818-1819, and Eugene Delacroix, who belonged to Romanticism. There is sense of competition of the leading school of art. Through this example, it can be deduced that the aim of these two movements are similarity in this aspect.
The difference in aims of these two movements is more than one aspect.
Firstly, the aims to learn from are different. To neo-classicism, the aim is to study Classical art. France establishes a linear history that is from Ancient tradition to Renaissance and at last, to France. With this aim, neo-classicism artists emulate past master pieces. For instance, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres creates which emulates , the work of Raphael during 1512-1513. On another hand, Romanticism has more than one ideal standard to learn from. In Germany, artists start to see the inside of their own culture ---Northern Renaissance. Joseph Whintergerst creates in 1828 that present the angle as symbol of Christion. Also, it create Gothic element as local German element. It is noticed that they make their own Durer. Another thing that Romanticism sometimes turns to is nature. In Caspar David Friedrich's paintings, nature is sometimes appearing as symbol. In 1809- 1810, artist uses oak forests to represent civilization. In another work1809-1810, it presents that sea is harsh and weather is cold. Again, artist put the concept into nature.
Secondly, the political or religious aims of these two movements are different. As mentioned before, neo-classicism is highly related to French Revolution. It not only serves for the nationalism of France, but also to make France as the model universally. To Romanticism, on another hand, the political or religious aims are more complicated and variable. Generally, the political aim in Romanticism is to go opposite to the control of France and the value of rational in neo-classicism. Paintings by Goya represent this kind of political aims. It is considered to be object the value of rational and individual, but humanity. Besides the different political aims, the religious aims are always seen in Romanticism. For instance, Franz Pforr, Austrian artist, creates . In this painting, artist expresses the meaning that Durer and Raphael are both good that art becomes religion. Gothic, once considered to be dark in Classical tradition, becomes the element of religion pride.

Assumptions
There are similarities in assumption of these two movements.
The two movements appears in the same time that last from mid 18 century to 1850s’. Moreover, the two movements share the same social background, which means France as Center of Europe.
Also, there are differences in assumption of these two movements.
Firstly, the two movements have different relationships to the reign of Napoleon. Neo-classicism is inspired by the reign of Napoleon. As mentioned before, the establishing of public museum system, academy education system is important assumptions to the neo-classicism. Romanticism, to some extent, objects the reign of Napoleon, especially when French Army comes to their regions. Many Spanish artists such as Goya, German artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, print a lot related to this theme.
Secondly, the main regions of these two movements are different. To Neo-classicism, it appears in France at first later influence the whole Europe. To Romanticism, it spreads widely in many regions of Europe.

Stylistic approaches
There are many differences of stylistic approaches between these two movements.
Firstly, the attitude to people's body is different, especially when the topics of paintings are related to disaster. In neo-classicalism, it always presents whole body. For instance, though Gericault made some sketches of bloody body fragments, for instance 1819,the finished work created in 1819, however, presents the whole body, following the classical tradition. In Romanticism, on another hand, bodies are sometimes as bloody fragment. Many paintings by Francisco Goya, such as <2nd of May, 1808> and <3rd of May, 1808>, are both these kind of works.
Secondly, the way to present individual is different. In neo-classicalism, people are always presented to be rational individuals, for instance, Ingres’ paintings, such as , , and . However, in Romanticism, people are not always presented to be rational individuals. In Goya' s paintings, people are sometimes even presented to be animals. In Caspar David Friedrich’s works, such as , people are sometimes presented as monks, who indicate the relationship between individual and God.
Thirdly, the attitude to present relationship between people and landscape is different. In Classicism, landscape always appears as background, following the classical tradition that always looks for the balance of scene. In Romanticism, nature sometimes becomes important part of the composition, sometimes even as main body. For instance, both Classicism and Romanticism artists once print salvage theme. Theodore Gericault, prints in 1819. In this painting, nature scene is background and the main body is group of people in the center of the scene. Romanticism artist, Caspar David Friedrich, prints in 1823-1824. In this painting, only wreck appears with the nature scene. It is assumed that people are all dead. The thing left is nature. It is not traditional landscape that does not serve for a story, but just about what it like.
Fourthly, the composition of picture is different sometimes. In neo-classicism, the composition of picture follows the classical tradition that always looks for the balance of composition. For instance, in , the angle composition makes sense of balance and stabilization. In Romanticism, the composition of picture sometimes is quite different. by Caspar David Friedrich in 1809-10 creates the composition that people are no longer in the center, the idea of balance no longer exist. It seems to provide the viewer to enter the scene.