Realist and Art Nouveau: Romantic Styles
The Romantic Artistic Era was a period of art that began in the late 18th century and lasted until the mid-19th century. During this time, several art styles emerged, two of which were the Realist style and the Art Nouveau style. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two styles, comment on the intentions and accomplishments of artists of each style, and discuss the art elements found in two artworks from each style, as well as the emotional reaction to each of the artworks.
Realist Style vs. Art Nouveau Style
The Realist style emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction to the Romantic style, which was characterized by idealized, emotional depictions of nature and humanity. Realist artists rejected the Romantic idealization of nature and humanity and instead sought to depict their subjects as they appeared. They emphasized the importance of accurately representing the world, often depicting ordinary people engaged in everyday activities. In contrast, the Art Nouveau style emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution. Art Nouveau artists sought to create a new style that was in harmony with the natural world and reflected the new technology of the time.
Out of the two styles, I find myself appreciating and relating more with the Realist style. I find it easy to relate to the Realist's depictions as the artworks are familiar and very easily stir emotions. Perhaps the ease of relating to shapes and forms of everyday life is why the artist of the era chose this style.
While I can appreciate the Nouveau Style and the art elements found in the art pieces, I find it harder to emote without thinking and searching for meaning.
Intentions and Accomplishments of Realist Artists
The Realist style was a departure from the idealization of nature and humanity that characterized the Romantic style. Realist artists sought to depict their subjects as they appeared, often portraying ordinary people engaged in everyday activities. They emphasized the importance of accurately representing the world, and their paintings were often documentary-like. One of the significant accomplishments of Realist artists was their ability to capture the essence of ordinary life in their paintings.
Intentions and Accomplishments of Art Nouveau Artists
The Art Nouveau style was a departure from the Industrial Revolution and the mechanization of society. Art Nouveau artists sought to create a new style that was in harmony with the natural world and reflected the new technology of the time. They incorporated elements of nature into their designs, often using flowing, organic lines and shapes. One of the major accomplishments of Art Nouveau artists was their ability to create a new style that reflected the changing world around them.
Artworks from the Realist Style
"Olympia" is a provocative painting that features a reclining nude woman, Olympia, surrounded by a black cat and a servant. The painting caused controversy at the time of its creation because of its subject matter and how it portrayed the female form. Manet used a Realist style in his painting, which meant he depicted Olympia as she would appear in real life rather than using idealized or romanticized depictions of the female form.
The emotional reaction to "Olympia" is one of discomfort and curiosity. Using a nude female figure in a contemporary setting was highly controversial. The fact that Olympia looks directly at the viewer with a sense of detachment and self-assuredness only adds to the discomfort. However, the painting is also an example of the Realist style, which emphasizes the depiction of everyday life realistically.
"The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins (1875)
"The Gross Clinic" is a painting that depicts Dr. Samuel Gross performing surgery on a patient in front of a group of medical students. The painting is a masterful example of Realism, with its accurate portrayal of the surgical procedure and the people in attendance. Eakins used a muted color palette and dramatic lighting to create a sense of drama and intensity in the scene.
The emotional reaction to "The Gross Clinic" is one of awe and respect for the skill and precision of the medical profession. The painting captures the seriousness and intensity of the surgical procedure, with the medical students observing and learning from Dr. Gross. The use of color and lighting creates a sense of drama and intensity. The bright area around the patient makes the viewer feel like they are witnessing the surgery first-hand. The sharpness of the detail fading from the central element (the patient) to the blurry observers in the back row creates a visual gradient of what is most important in the artwork.
Artworks from the Art Nouveau Style
"The Peacock Skirt" is a striking black-and-white illustration that depicts a woman wearing a peacock-feathered skirt. The intricate pattern of the skirt features Art Nouveau elements such as flowing lines and stylized floral designs. Beardsley used a technique called "black-line drawing," He used only black ink on a white background to create a stark contrast between the elements in the image.
The emotional reaction to "The Peacock Skirt" is intrigue and fascination. The intricate design draws the viewer's eye, and the use of black and white creates a sense of boldness and clarity. The stylized feathers of the skirt create a sense of movement and energy, as though the skirt is alive and in motion. Overall, "The Peacock Skirt" is a testament to the artistic talent of Beardsley, who used Art Nouveau elements to create a unique and captivating work of art.
Sources
Hendricks, Gordon. “Thomas Eakins’s Gross Clinic.” The Art Bulletin, vol. 51, no. 1, 1969, pp. 57–64. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3048587. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
"Gustav Klimt Artist Overview and Analysis". 2023. TheArtStory.org https://www.theartstory.org/artist/klimt-gustav/ Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
Hi Nhi! Thank you for sharing this weeks blog post. It was interesting to learn about Art Nouveau through the two different paintings that you chose. I never really looked into this type of art style since it's not necessarily my type, but after reading the background to the different paintings I do have a better appreciation and fascination for this type of art. My piece of art that you chose is, "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt because of the different geometric shapes and textures that bring this painting to life. By adding all these different bold qualities it really does show the love and passion like you said.
ReplyDeleteI love all the works that you picked. I think my favorite one is "The Peacock Skirt" just because of how different it is. I also am partial to the art nouveau style. I adore the bright colors and the use of line work in the style. I also really love "the Gross Clinic" because I have actually done some reading about the event that is being depicted. It was a very informative event that helped a lot of people learn about human anatomy by watching the surgery.
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