1.1 Overview of the 19th century art world

The 19th century art world was a time of big changes. New styles like Romanticism and Impressionism emerged, challenging old ideas about art. Artists explored new ways to show emotions, nature, and everyday life.

Technology and social shifts shaped art too. Photography and mass media changed how people saw images. The rise of the middle class and new art institutions created fresh opportunities for artists to showcase their work.

Artistic Movements of the 19th Century

Major Movements and Styles

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• Neoclassicism (late 18th to early 19th century) revived classical art and architecture emphasizing order, clarity, and idealized beauty
• Romanticism (late 18th to early 19th century) prioritized emotion, individualism, and the sublime often depicting dramatic landscapes (stormy seas, rugged mountains) and historical or literary scenes
• Realism (mid-19th century) focused on depicting the world as it appeared, without idealization often addressing social and political issues (poverty, labor conditions)
• Impressionism (late 19th century) emphasized capturing the changing effects of light and color in nature using visible brushstrokes and a lighter palette (Claude Monet's "Impression, Sunrise")
• Post-Impressionism (late 19th century) encompassed individual styles that built upon and reacted against Impressionism often emphasizing subjective experience and symbolic meaning (Vincent van Gogh's expressive brushwork, Paul Gauguin's use of color)

Emergence and Development of Symbolism

• Symbolism (late 19th century) prioritized the expression of ideas and emotions through symbolic imagery often drawing on mythology, dreams, and the imagination
• Symbolist artists sought to evoke moods and suggest hidden meanings rather than depict the visible world (Gustave Moreau's mythological paintings, Odilon Redon's dreamlike drawings)
• Symbolism influenced the development of other avant-garde movements in the early 20th century, such as Expressionism and Surrealism

Context of 19th Century Art

Social, Political, and Cultural Changes

• The Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization, new technologies, and changes in the organization of labor profoundly impacting art production and consumption (growth of cities, factory work)
• The rise of nationalism in Europe led to the formation of new nation-states and the promotion of national identities through art and culture (German Romanticism, French Realism)
• The growth of the middle class created a new market for art and a demand for more accessible and affordable forms of artistic production (prints, photographs)
• Social and political upheavals, such as the French Revolution, the Revolutions of 1848, and the American Civil War significantly impacted the themes and subjects addressed by artists (Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People," Winslow Homer's Civil War paintings)

Institutions and Colonialism

• The 19th century saw the rise of new institutions for the display and promotion of art, such as public museums (the Louvre, the National Gallery), commercial galleries, and world's fairs (the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London)
• The expansion of European colonialism and the encounter with non-Western cultures influenced the development of new artistic styles and forms of representation (Orientalism, Japonisme)
• Colonial exhibitions and world's fairs often presented non-Western cultures as exotic and primitive reinforcing European notions of cultural superiority (the Colonial Exhibition of 1931 in Paris)

Technology's Impact on Art

Photography and Mass Media

• The invention of photography in the 1830s challenged traditional notions of artistic representation leading to new forms of visual documentation and experimentation (daguerreotypes, calotypes)
• The development of lithography and other printing techniques allowed for the mass production and distribution of images making art more accessible to a wider audience (illustrated newspapers, posters)
• The growth of mass media, such as illustrated newspapers and magazines, created new opportunities for artists to reach a broader public and respond to current events and social issues (Honoré Daumier's satirical lithographs)

New Materials and Transportation

• The introduction of new materials and techniques, such as the use of pre-mixed paints in tubes and the development of portable easels allowed artists to work more freely and spontaneously outside the studio (the Barbizon school, plein air painting)
• The expansion of transportation networks, such as railways and steamships, facilitated the movement of artists and artworks across national borders and the exchange of ideas and influences (American artists studying in Europe, the Impressionists' travels to the French countryside)
• New pigments and dyes, such as cobalt blue and synthetic ultramarine, expanded the range of colors available to artists and contributed to the development of new artistic styles (the Impressionists' use of bright, pure colors)

Artists' Role in 19th Century Society

Changing Status and Training

• The rise of the Romantic ideal of the artist as a solitary genius, separate from society and driven by inner inspiration challenged traditional notions of artistic practice and patronage (the cult of the artist, the figure of the bohemian)
• The growth of the art market and the emergence of commercial galleries and dealers created new opportunities for artists to sell their work and achieve financial independence (the Impressionists' independent exhibitions)
• The establishment of art academies and schools provided formal training for artists but also led to debates about the role of tradition and innovation in artistic education (the Paris Salon, the Royal Academy in London)

Avant-Garde Movements and Social Engagement

• The emergence of avant-garde movements, such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, challenged the authority of the academies and asserted the autonomy of the artist as an individual creator (the Salon des Refusés, the Impressionists' independent exhibitions)
• The increasing involvement of artists in political and social movements, such as the Revolutions of 1848 and the women's suffrage movement reflected a new sense of the artist's responsibility to engage with the issues of their time (Gustave Courbet's involvement in the Paris Commune, Mary Cassatt's support for women's suffrage)
• The rise of the concept of "art for art's sake" and the idea of aesthetic autonomy led to debates about the purpose and function of art in society (the Aesthetic Movement, Oscar Wilde's writings)