RIWT Task 1
Classic, classical, and classicism are all words that describe the historical period, quality of a literature, music or artistic style associated with the appealing achievements of Greco-Roman civilization. Classical art is based on the aesthetic and philosophical principles established by Greco-Roman civilization.
Classic art generally refers to a high regard for classical antiquity. Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark said “classicism (or the classical era) portrays widely accepted ideal forms of art in various ways” (Clark, 1956, p.146). In the classical period there was a revolution in Greek sculptures (related with the introduction of democracy).
Classic is simply any ancient imitation or use of the principles of ancient Greek and Roman classical art and literature. The Classical period saw many changes in style and sculptures and developed its own characteristics that differentiate the era from others. Artists valued balance and harmony in their paintings; figures were usually more perfect in the piece of art as compared to reality. {For example, poses became more naturalistic; statues even began to depict real people and nude came in for the first time in the late classical period (mid-4th century)}.
Figures’ bodies appeared to be quite active leading people to develop the belief that the figures were actually moving. They were also portrayed doing tasks from everyday life. Although classical art magnificently depicted motion and activities as well as perfect beings, two important things that they did not express were 1) emotion and 2) they had no sense of perspective whatsoever.
In the world of painting, Rococo style is characterized by delicate colors, decorative details, and an intimate mood. In France, the term for this type of style was “the elegant style” while in Germany it was called “the sensitive style”.
During the 2nd half of the