👨🏻‍🎤European Art and Civilization – 1400 to Present Unit 3 – Enlightenment & Neoclassicism in Europe

Key Ideas and Concepts

• Emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority
• Belief in progress, tolerance, and the power of rational thought to improve society
• Neoclassical art and architecture drew inspiration from classical antiquity (ancient Greece and Rome)
• Enlightenment thinkers advocated for individual rights, religious tolerance, and democratic principles
• Shift towards a more secular worldview and the separation of church and state
• Rise of empiricism and the scientific method as a means of understanding the world
• Emergence of new political ideas such as social contract theory and the concept of natural rights

Historical Context

• The Enlightenment emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, following the Scientific Revolution and the Age of Exploration
• Europe experienced significant social, economic, and political changes during this period
  • Growth of the middle class and the rise of mercantilism
  • Challenges to the absolute authority of monarchs and the Catholic Church
• The Enlightenment coincided with the American and French Revolutions, which were influenced by Enlightenment ideas
• The Neoclassical movement developed alongside the Enlightenment, reflecting its values and ideals
• The Enlightenment was a response to the perceived dogmatism and superstition of the previous era
• Intellectual exchange was facilitated by the growth of print culture, salons, and coffeehouses

Major Figures and Thinkers

• John Locke (1632-1704): English philosopher who developed the concept of natural rights and the social contract theory
• Voltaire (1694-1778): French writer and philosopher who advocated for religious tolerance and freedom of expression
• Montesquieu (1689-1755): French political thinker who proposed the separation of powers in government
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): Swiss philosopher who influenced the development of modern political and educational thought
  • Authored "The Social Contract" and "Emile, or On Education"
• Denis Diderot (1713-1784): French philosopher and editor of the Encyclopédie, which aimed to collect and disseminate knowledge
• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): German philosopher who made significant contributions to epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics

Art and Architecture

• Neoclassical art and architecture emphasized simplicity, symmetry, and proportion, inspired by classical antiquity
• Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825): French painter known for his neoclassical works, such as "Oath of the Horatii" and "Death of Marat"
• Antonio Canova (1757-1822): Italian sculptor who exemplified neoclassical style in works like "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss"
• Robert Adam (1728-1792): Scottish architect who popularized neoclassical style in Britain, evident in his design of Kedleston Hall
• Neoclassical architecture featured Greek and Roman elements such as columns, pediments, and domes
  • Examples include the Panthéon in Paris and the United States Capitol Building
• Enlightenment ideas influenced the development of public spaces and institutions, such as libraries and museums

Literature and Philosophy

• Enlightenment literature often used satire and irony to critique society and promote reform
• Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): Irish writer known for his satirical works, such as "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal"
• Philosophical works explored ideas of reason, progress, and individual rights
  • Examples include Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" and Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason"
• The Encyclopédie, edited by Diderot and d'Alembert, aimed to compile and disseminate knowledge across various fields
• The novel emerged as a popular literary form during the Enlightenment, exemplified by works like Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe"
• Enlightenment thinkers engaged in philosophical debates on topics such as the nature of knowledge, ethics, and aesthetics

Scientific and Political Developments

• The Enlightenment encouraged the application of reason and the scientific method to understand the natural world
• Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727): English mathematician and physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries in optics, mechanics, and calculus
• The Enlightenment fostered the development of new political ideas and systems
  • Montesquieu's separation of powers and Rousseau's social contract theory influenced the creation of modern democracies
• The American and French Revolutions were inspired by Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and self-governance
  • The United States Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen reflect these principles
• Enlightenment thinkers challenged the divine right of kings and advocated for more representative forms of government
• The Enlightenment contributed to the rise of liberalism and the concept of individual rights

Impact on Society

• The Enlightenment challenged traditional social hierarchies and promoted greater social mobility
• Enlightenment ideas influenced the growth of public education and the spread of literacy
• The concept of religious tolerance gained traction, leading to increased acceptance of religious diversity
  • The Edict of Versailles (1787) granted civil rights to French Protestants
• The Enlightenment encouraged the development of a public sphere where ideas could be freely exchanged and debated
  • Coffeehouses, salons, and literary societies became important centers of intellectual discourse
• Enlightenment thinkers advocated for the abolition of slavery and greater rights for women, although progress in these areas was limited
• The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individualism contributed to the rise of capitalism and free-market economics

Legacy and Influence

• Enlightenment ideas have had a lasting impact on modern political and social thought
  • Concepts such as individual rights, separation of powers, and religious tolerance remain central to many contemporary societies
• The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and scientific inquiry laid the foundation for modern scientific disciplines and research methods
• Neoclassical art and architecture continue to influence design and aesthetics, particularly in public buildings and monuments
• Enlightenment thinkers' works remain widely read and studied, informing ongoing debates in philosophy, politics, and social sciences
• The Enlightenment's legacy can be seen in the continued pursuit of progress, equality, and human rights in the modern world
• Critics have argued that the Enlightenment's focus on reason and individualism has contributed to social atomization and the neglect of tradition and community
• Postcolonial scholars have critiqued the Enlightenment's Eurocentrism and its role in justifying colonialism and imperialism