From the Baroque Period Through the Romantic Age

¶ … art is changed by the changes that occur in political culture. The writer presents examples and contrasts two of the following areas Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism and argues the point of how the eras drive changes in artwork. In addition the writer devotes two pages to comparing three works of famous artists. Art has always been influenced by the masses. Political culture, and change have been driving forces behind the changes in art that history has witnessed.

When political and cultural changes occur it is generally because of changing attitudes of those who live in the era and drive those changes. This extrapolates to changes in many things including taste in artwork. Two periods in history provide classic examples of such change occurring and being directly related to political and cultural changes that were taking place in society during the time.

The Neoclassical period and the Romantic era are both studies in contrast when it comes to the mindset of mankind and society at the time the eras took place. One only has to look at the art to see definite pverlaps and changes that were driven by those eras.

The changes in art were derived by taste changes not only of the audience but of the mind and heart of the artist creating the art during those particular time frames., During the romantic era society fell in love with the past and it was reflected in the artwork of the time. "In England the Gothic style of architecture was commonly used for garden ornamentation and a small number of homes until about 1818 when the Church Building Act was passed specifying that new churches utilize medieval architecture to save money.

Secular public buildings were to be constructed using the Greek style of architecture since it symbolized a reasonable way of life, and was strongly supported by the wealthy ruling class (Romanticism The Romantic Age http://www.guthwulf.com/mst/intro.htm)." The boy who walked his feet off produces support that the era was about simple things and basic elements. A boy who walks his feet off is a hard worker not afforded the luxury of travel.

This in turn portrays the general political mindset of the world during that period (http://www.rastko.org.yu/isk/images/simeon_roksandic.html) The era of neoclassic art was exactly the opposite. It was filled with hopes and dreams of the future and the changing political climate of the time. Travel and lavish lifestyles were more common at this era and the artwork reflected its place and importance in society (Neo-Classicism http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap4/4-4-6.asp#4-4-6).

In the sculpture called Diane the Huntress the period is obvious as it shows very simple form and lines. She appears to be free flowing and able to float if she so desired. She is of clean lines and optimistic attitude yet not overly ornate or decorated. It shows the era's political mindset of the time (Diane the Huntress http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts/scultpurePlastic/SculptureHistory/NeoclassicisminSculpture/FrenchNeoclassical/Dianathehuntress/Dianathehuntress).

In addition to eras taking on political and cultural changes the same thing can be reflected in paintings of the time. Three paintings by well-known artists work to illustrate what may have been predominate in the current culture at the time the paintings were completed. The artists use their skill to display emotions of their fellow countrymen. In Grainstack by Claude Monet his use of simple colors and lines reflect his need for solitude as he works.

One can view the picture that he paints and feel the lonliness that he required for him to do his best work. As a young painter he was considered undisplined which also shows in this particular painting. Viewing the color use and the use of lines denoting the background and horizon one can feel the desire to reach out and touch mankind, while at the same time being content to have many miles between the viewer and the hustle and bustle of society.

In Pierre Bonnard's Terrace painting the exact opposite is realized. This painting reflects society's desire to be alive and social (Grainstack 1891 http://www.oceansbridge.com/art/customer/product.php?productid=38385& cat=4037& page=19& maincat=M). The painting not only reflects such an image through the use of the images that are in the painting but also in the fact that the colors are bright and cheerful.

One only has to gaze at this painting and discover the gaiety of the time which reflects the political and cultural attitude that the painter lived in (Grainstack 1891 http://www.oceansbridge.com/art/customer/product.php?productid=38385& cat=4037& page=19& maincat=M). Food is plentiful as is denoted on the canvas and the people seem to be happy to be gathering. There are no expressions of worry on the faces of those in the painting.

While The Haystack produces a feeling of lonely hard life, The Terrace produces the exact opposite emotion and illustrates the general attitude of society in that era. In Paul Signac's The Windmills the artist blends a combination of the two when he provides a colorful and cheerful work of windmills. The colors used are significant factors because of the cheerful and happy emotion they bring forth.

The picture has very little to do with socializing yet it welcomes the idea of social happiness by use of the colors and the use of the brush to denote that emotion. All three paintings exude contentment by the artist. The Haystack is a more lonely and solitude picture in which the viewer can sit and contemplate life while gazing.