Marcus Chen
The 1700s saw a variety of artistic movements and styles across the world, with artists creating diverse works that reflected the social, political, and cultural changes of the time. One of the most significant art movements of this period was Rococo, which originated in early 18th-century France and was characterised by soft colours, curvy lines, and a focus on nature, love, and entertainment. Jean-Antoine Watteau, considered the father of the Rococo movement, created paintings that observed society and depicted normal people doing everyday things. Portraiture was also a popular art form during this time, with artists such as William Hogarth, Joshua Reynolds, and John Singleton Copley creating portraits that reflected the ideals and tastes of their respective societies. In addition to these European movements, artists in other parts of the world, such as Jeong Seon in Korea and Yosa Buson in Japan, were creating works that incorporated unique cultural and historical elements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Art movement | Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism |
| Common themes | Curves, soft colours, light-hearted entertainment, nature, amorous encounters, patriotism, self-sacrifice, emotion, individualism, medieval subjects, imagination |
| Techniques | Asymmetry, use of stucco and wood carving, intricate detailing, elaborate ornamentation, quick painterly brushstrokes |
| Genres | Portraiture, landscape, history painting, sculpture |
| Notable artists | Jean-Antoine Watteau, William Hogarth, Rosalba Carriera, John Trumbull, Jeong Seon, Panini, Miguel Cabrera, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Yosa Buson, Étienne Maurice Falconet, Ito Jakuchu, Joshua Reynolds, Jacques-Louis David, François Boucher, Eugène Delacroix, William Blake, Élisabeth Louise Vigée-Le Brun |
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What You'll Learn
Rococo art
French Rococo, also known as the Rocaille style, flourished in the salons of Paris between 1723 and 1759. These salons, with their intricate mirror and painting frames, vegetal forms, and sinuous curves, embodied the aristocratic ideals of the time. Notable French Rococo artists include Antoine Watteau, considered the father of the movement, as well as François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, whose painting "The Swing" is considered a quintessential example of Rococo art.
Italian Rococo also flourished during this period, particularly in Venice. Venetian Rococo was known for its exuberant glassware, such as multicolour chandeliers and mirrors, as well as its landscape artists known as "view-painters". Giovanni Antonio Canal, or Canaletto, was a notable Italian Rococo artist, famous for his popular scenes of Venice, which were sought after by English aristocrats.
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Neoclassicism
The 18th century saw the emergence of Neoclassicism, a widespread and influential movement in painting and other visual arts. Neoclassicism in painting initially resembled the French Rococo style and other preceding styles. This was partly because ancient Greek and Roman paintings that had survived were ornamental works, while sculptures and architecture from the Classical period provided more direct prototypes for artists to emulate.
The earliest Neoclassical painters were Joseph-Marie Vien, Anton Raphael Mengs, Pompeo Batoni, Angelica Kauffmann, and Gavin Hamilton, who were active during the 1750s, '60s, and '70s. Mengs' work, in particular, was influenced by 17th-century Classicism and the Italian Baroque tradition. A more rigorous Neoclassical painting style arose in France in the 1780s under the leadership of Jacques-Louis David, whose works displayed a gravity and decorum deriving from Classical tragedy.
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Romanticism
Romantic painters also explored more subjective views of portraits, expressing a range of psychological and emotional states. Géricault probed the extremes of mental illness in his portraits, while John Constable's landscapes expressed his subjective view of nature. Romantic painters often worked from sketches made outdoors, sometimes creating composite scenes in their studios, resulting in imaginary locations that emphasised the awe-inspiring and sublime nature.
In Spain, Francisco de Goya was the most prominent Romantic painter. As the official painter of the Royal Court in the late 18th century, he began exploring the imaginary, the irrational, and the horrors of human behaviour and war. His works, including "The Third of May, 1808" (1814) and the etchings "The Disasters of War" (1812-1815), stand as powerful rebukes of war during the Enlightenment era.
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Portraiture
One of the most well-known English portraitists of the 1700s was Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). He was the master of the perfectly calibrated pose and gesture, and his work reflected the age, sex, and social or political position of his subjects. He was the principal painter to King George III and the first president of the Academy. Another notable English portraitist was Thomas Gainsborough, who had a fluid, assured technique and a sharp eye for the particular characteristics of his subjects. John Hoppner, a father of five, was skilled at capturing childish traits in his portraits.
In the American colonies, portraiture was also the most popular type of painting throughout the colonial period. The Scottish émigré John Smibert, who arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1728, was the first academically trained painter to work in the colonies. He executed more than 250 likenesses over 17 years. America's first native-born painter of significant promise was John Singleton Copley, a master of oil paintings, pastels, and portrait miniatures. However, he sought a more sophisticated audience and left for England in 1774.
William Hogarth was the finest and liveliest British portrait painter of the time. He was also an engraver, and he sold many prints of his work. His paintings exposed the follies and vices of the age, and he had a well-developed sense of cynical humour. Rosalba Carriera, who was enormously popular in the 18th century, created wonderful work in pastels and painted a lovely portrait of Jean-Antoine Watteau, who was considered one of the greatest Rococo artists.
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Landscape painting
In the 1700s, native British artists began to specialize in painting landscapes. Gainsborough, Richard Wilson, Alexander Cozens, Thomas Jones, and George Morland were some of the notable painters who established landscape painting in the 18th century. Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788) was one of the most prominent landscape painters of his time. His works included "Wooded Landscape with a Peasant Resting" (1747) and "Hilly Landscape with Figures Approaching a Bridge" (c. 1763).
In Korea, Jeong Seon (1676-1759) was a renowned painter known for his beautiful examples of Korean "true-view painting". This style emphasized painting from life rather than abstractly creating scenes from imagination, reflecting Korea's unique identity.
During the Japanese Edo Period, Yosa Buson (1716-1784) and Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) were notable artists. Buson was both a poet and a painter, incorporating his poetry into his art in the haiga style, while Jakuchu created highly detailed and realistic nature paintings, especially of birds.
In the 18th century, large-scale landscape paintings (vedute) of Italian landscapes were also popular. Panini (1691-1765) was an architect and painter known for his works depicting landscapes and buildings, often from antiquity.
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Frequently asked questions
Art from the 18th century is characterised by its elegance, renewed interest in classical antiquity, and desire to break free from tradition. During this time, the American, French, and Industrial Revolutions took place, influencing art movements.
Neoclassicism and Romanticism were two prominent art movements in the 1700s. Romanticism emphasised emotion, individualism, nature, and imagination, while also observing human psychology and personal feelings. Neoclassicism, on the other hand, focused on classical austerity and severity, with artists like Jacques-Louis David leading the shift away from Rococo.
Rococo art emerged in early 18th-century France, marking the first major movement of the century. It is known for its use of soft colours, curvy lines, and asymmetrical designs. Rococo paintings often depicted scenes of love, nature, and entertainment, reflecting the aristocratic lifestyle and pursuit of personal amusement.
The 1700s saw artists like Jeong Seon, Yosa Buson, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, William Hogarth, Rosalba Carriera, Joshua Reynolds, and many others. Jeong Seon was known for his Korean "true-view" landscape paintings, while Yosa Buson incorporated his poetry into his nature paintings. Fragonard's work, such as "The Swing," is considered quintessential Rococo. Hogarth, a skilled British portrait painter, often exposed the vices of his age through his art. Rosalba Carriera, popular in the 18th century, created wonderful works in pastels, and Joshua Reynolds is considered one of the most well-known English portraitists of the century.
