Western Modernity Periods of Art Contexts

The art periods that occurred during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries are neoclassicism, romanticism, and even realism which is modern art. The three periods had some similarities in pleasing visuals and recognition due to their elaborate decorations, hence creating the vision of beauty and worldliness. Secondly, they all captured lights which they used in painting. They are also light-hearted; that is, they are happy and not serious.

However, according to Zilhão, their styles are highly ornamental and very decorative on a slender scale. The three art periods also emphasized simplicity, order, and idealism. Some colors were applied to the architecture hence making them classical.  The arts were of delicate design, meaning that they had the quality that appealed to a cultivated taste. Despite having similarities, the three periods of art in western modernity have also differed.

According to their theme of religion, the first difference is elaborated by Lee and Cho. Realism came with the capturing of lights where the light came at a certain point despite the other art periods.

In addition, the romanticism arts were more beautiful and feminine and could only be found in private or even interior spaces, while the neoclassicism was of masculine and energetic styles and, more so, extremely ornamental.  They also had differences in tone. Romanticism, as discussed, was of soft pleasing feel and was more private, while neoclassicism arts were more dramatic and powerful.

Despite the other periods, Neoclassicism was a political movement and was also artistic and cultural. Realism is an artistic movement that portrays the conditions of the poor and their hardships in the effort to change society, which the other periods don’t portray, but romanticism portrays the beauty and the power of the natural world and the emotions.

Romanticism arts often used colors to describe emotions and feelings but not common themes like the neoclassicism arts, emphasizing order, classical simplicities, and symmetry with the themes of courage and war. Unlike neoclassicism, romanticism came up with symbols and images that Greek and Roman inspired.