Revolutionary Century: session 1

First session of a six week course at the Bishopsgate Institute looking at the art of the 19th century, a period of great changes in art and society.

The course is led by James Heard and this first session looked at Neo-Classicism.  We began by looking at what is was and how it started with the discover of Pompeii and the influence of Rome and Greece on art. It led to a simplification of vision across the western world and a across genres.

In the second half of the session we analysed “The Oath of Horati” by David using it to look at the first part of David’s life and looking at it in the context of the French Revolution. OK this picture was actually 18th century but it sets up the period we are going to study well.

Looking forward to next week.

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