Contrasting Romanticism and Realism in Fuseli's Nightmare and Manet's Olympia

¶ … oil canvas artwork. As both are incorporating women as the subject matter, but the artists portray them in distinct ways. Contrasting this is: John Henry Fuseli's the Nightmare with Edouard Manet's Olympia. As they are highlighting the changes in: style, message and regions to define how art is transformed (from the period of Romanticism to the progressive era).

At the heart of their works, are: the female body as popular subject matter for many artists. While ideal forms of the body usually are portrayed, artists incorporate numerous attributes to: make their work unique and inherently different from others. To achieve this objective they will often integrate many techniques into their paintings. Below we will compare the stylistic qualities of: The Nightmare and Olympia with one another. Once this takes place it will provide the greatest insights, as to the similarities and differences of the two artists.

Stylistic Qualities

The oil canvas painting, the Nightmare, was created by John Henry Fuseli in 1781. He assisted in making the period of Romanticism more popular in the 19th century. An Anglo-Swiss artist, Fuseli incorporated the concepts of Romanticism. This is also known as neo-Gothic art of: imagination, deep emotion and fantasy in many of his works (including the Nightmare) (Stokstad, 2011, pg. 928). Currently presiding at the Detroit Institute of Art, the Nightmare shows a woman sprawled out on a divan. She is in a deep slumber with a ghoulish incubus, crouched on top of the woman. While at the same time, a horse (with bulging eyes) is looking at the incubus on top of the woman (Stokstad, 2011, pg. 928).

Olympia is an oil canvas painting that was created in 1863 by Edouard Manet. He was a Parisian artist contributing to the Realist period, as Manet was known for his nude paintings, like Olympia, and shared in criticism from conventional artists / critiques (like Fuseli) (Stokstad, 2011, pg. 978). The painting is currently located at the Musee du Louvre in Paris. It is showing a nude woman, lying on a couch and looking down at the viewer. While, a black woman is in the background with: a bouquet of flowers and a cat is arching its back (Flescher, 1985, pg. 28).

Stylistic Differences

The differences in the paintings are evident in subject matter and style. Fuseli is telling a story through: imagination and creating an incubus to trouble the woman. The main colors in the painting are hues of red with the woman clothed in white (perhaps a reference to purity and virtuosity). Fuseli is in line with other Romantics, with his personal touch to a situation, intertwining passion and fear in a highly imaginative portrayal of a woman being seduced. The idea that the seduction is unwarranted by the woman is identified through: the name of the piece -- the Nightmare.

Manet's Olympia is a prime example of the Realist period. The painting appears to be realistic display of his use of light. The effects of this on the painting were a key in his earlier works like Olympia. The nude woman, couch, bouquet of flowers, and clothing on the black woman are all well-lit. This is similar to a real black and white photograph. The darker portions of the painting are a significant contrast to the detailed lit sections (in a picture). While, the black woman, cat and background are so dark that they are barely visible. as, the nude woman is the focus of the painting, as this is designated by Manet through: his use of lighting. While at the same time there is some modesty, with her covering her nether regions. The fact that the rest of the woman is unclothed, leads the viewer to believe that she is not entirely reserved. as, there is a sense of respectability through: the one modest gesture.

The Nightmare is a revolt from 18th century Neoclassicism of: dignified and restrained art. Fuseli infused individualistic representations through: complex ideas with horrific beings (which are shocking the viewer). Neoclassicism was the complete opposite where compositions were simple and all figures were idealistic.

Manet also rebelled against the traditional art world. While, Olympia is similar to the style at the time of it creation; where the presentation of a nude woman was not well received by the establishment. Photography was becoming a popular form of art and the realist Manet worked well with this format in his paintings. The appearance of nude figures in his works, were too much for those who wanted subjects surrounding: the working class and the Industrial Revolution.

As a result, Fuseli and Manet understood the safe road for their contemporary artists. With that knowledge, they both decided to neglect those traditional institutions, challenging what was acceptable and opening up additional styles for other artists to mimic. Fuseli used a mix of disturbing beings and imagination to challenge the ideal bodies of Neoclassicism. While, Manet portrayed: nude women in a realistic manner. As a result, the Nightmare and Olympia are popular today because they were not what everyone was doing at the time. This is because, they defied: conservatives, championed new subject matter and are now enshrined as examples of timeless art.