Classical Era

 Morality and the Art of the Classical Era

Madame de Pompadour by François Boucher 1750, Oil on Canvas, Fogg Art Museum

Madame de Pompadour was the official mistress of King Louis XV in 18th century France (Harris & Zucker). During this time period, Rococo Art was largely popular. Rococo art was defined by its light subject matter, ornate details, and luxury. In this portrait of Pompadour, there is a sense of frivolity even though she was in an important political position for the time. She is not seen as powerful or strong but represented with soft graceful lines, her skin in porcelain like as she applied her makeup, her clothing is made of expensive lace and she is ornamented with a small portrait of her lover, King Louis XV, on her wrist. Boucher brings the viewer into what could be her private chambers where Pompadour is applying lavish makeup and her table is covered in linens with silk ribbons and flowers. This painting seems to boast of the excess of wealth that was spent on the Kings official mistress.

The Death of Socrates, Jacques-Luois David 1787, Oil on Canvas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Socrates was a Greek philosopher who was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens through his teachings (Harris & Zucker). Even though Socrates lived in ancient Greece, his story is represented by David in the Neoclassical way. Neoclassical art was defined by moral virtue, self-sacrifice, and are largely based on Greek and Roman history. In the painting, David paints Socrates reaching out for a cup of hemlock, poison. Socrates was given the choice by the Athenian court to renounce his beliefs that he was passionately teaching or die (Harris & Zucker). The self-sacrifice by Socrates and the emotions shown by his followers are a stark contrast to the frivolous light subject matter of the Rococo period. David painted this piece just two years prior to the French Revolution. During this time in France, philosophy was widely available to all classes of people which in turn, made the lower classes less willing to be part of a political system that only benefited nobility (Britannica). Socrates embodies the idea of rebellion by not renouncing his beliefs, he believed in his teachings and the morality of them so much so, that he sacrificed his life for them. David paints the philosopher as strong, determined, and has him pointing to the heavens reinforcing the ideal that what he is doing is honorable. 

Cornelia Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures, by Angelica Kauffmann1785, Oil on Canvas, Virginia Musem of Fine Arts

Cornelia lived in ancient Rome and was mother to two sons who would become political leaders in their time. In the scene that Kauffmann paints, a visitor is showing Cornelia her treasures of jewels and gems. In return, Cornelia presents her children as her treasures (Martin). Again, this painting is an example of neoclassical art with its Roman influence, moral virtue, and strong vertical lines. Kauffmann was Swiss born painter that studied throughout Europe making her aware of the discovery of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city lost to a volcanic eruption (Martin). This discovery inspired many artists and Kauffmann used this inspiration and history to represent this virtuous scene. In past times, jewels and excess of wealth were scene as high society and fashionable. The visitor in the painting is representing the past while Cornelia is representing the future, where humanism and virtue were paramount.

In these three painting, each artist depicts important values of their times. Boucher is an exemplary example of Rococo art that was made in a time and place where lavish excess was celebrated. There was not a clear meaning behind the artwork, the message was simply excess. David and Kauffmann bring us into the Neoclassical Era that was largely based on the philosophy that was becoming widely available to all classes. This philosophy led people to question the order of society, it was the basis for revolutions, and gave the common man the knowledge needed to escape the cage high nobility put them in. Morality became a prominent theme as a way to tame the extravagance that came prior. This theme of morality resonates deeply for me as it was a way of taking power back from the Monarchs and giving it back to the people. It tipped the scale the was largely sided with the noble back a more equitable level, an ideal that still goes strong today.

Works Cited

The Editors of Encyclopaedia (no date) French Revolution, Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/event/French-Revolution/Events-of-1789 (Accessed: 06 July 2023).

Harris, Dr.B. and Zucker, Dr.S. (2015) François Boucher, Madame de Pompadour, Smarthistory. Available at: https://smarthistory.org/boucher-madame-de-pompadour/ (Accessed: 06 July 2023).

Harris, Dr.B. and Zucker, Dr.S. (2022) Jacques-Louis David, The Death of Socrates, Smarthistory. Available at: https://smarthistory.org/jacques-louis-david-the-death-of-socrates/ (Accessed: 06 July 2023).

Martin, D. (2016) Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures, Smarthistory. Available at: https://smarthistory.org/angelica-kauffmann-cornelia-pointing-to-her-children-as-her-treasures/ (Accessed: 06 July 2023).