Academic Classicism

Academic Classicism refers to a style of art that flourished in the mid-17th to 19th centuries and focused on classical ideals of harmony, order, and imitation of ancient Greek and Roman art.
Subjects are often drawn from Greek and Roman mythology, history, or folklore. They depict idealized figures and scenes.
Compositions are usually symmetrical and balanced, representing order, logic, and harmony.
Figures are depicted in an idealized way, focusing on beauty, grace, and perfection.
There is a strong emphasis on masterful technique, precision, and craftsmanship. Artists aimed to demonstrate their technical virtuosity.
The style originated from the French Academy and academies across Europe that trained artists. It dominated European academic art institutions for centuries.
Key artists include Jacques-Louis David, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Thomas Lawrence, and Frederic Leighton.
This style stood for conservatism and the preservation of classical standards in art. It opposed the rise of modern art movements like Romanticism and Impressionism.
The influence of Academic Classicism declined at the end of the 19th century as modern art came to prominence. But its emphasis on the mastery of realistic techniques and composition had a lasting influence on art education.
In summary, Academic Classicism refers to the dominant style of traditional Western art between the 17th to 19th centuries. It focused on classical ideals of beauty and technique, as promoted by official art academies of the era. The style stood for conservatism and opposition to modern art. But it shaped standards of excellence in realistic depiction and composition that influenced later art.

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