Rococo to Neoclassicism Voltaire and Rousseau

Summary

This video explores the contrasting philosophies of Voltaire and Rousseau during the Enlightenment, and how their ideas influenced art. Voltaire championed science, reason, and societal progress, while Rousseau advocated for a return to a natural, primitive state, emphasizing emotion over reason. The video illustrates these philosophies through various artworks, from Joseph Wright of Derby's scientific depiction to Greuze's portrayal of simple peasant life and Gainsborough's Grand Manner portraiture.

Highlights

Voltaire and the Enlightenment's Emphasis on Reason and Progress00:00:03

Voltaire's philosophy, exemplified by Joseph Wright of Derby's painting 'Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump,' championed scientific advancement, societal improvement, and freedom of thought and religion. This painting showcases the Enlightenment's focus on education, reason, and knowledge, often with dramatic lighting and compositions.

Rousseau's Counter-Enlightenment Philosophy: Emotion and Nature00:02:08

In stark contrast to Voltaire, Rousseau believed that humanity was corrupted by arts, sciences, and society. He advocated for a return to a natural, primitive state, prioritizing emotional life over reason. Rousseau's ideas questioned the constant advancement championed by Voltaire.

Rousseau's Influence on Art: The Natural Style00:03:14

Rousseau rejected the artificiality and opulence of the French Rococo style, favoring a 'natural' style that emphasized feelings and simple subject matter. Jean-Baptiste Greuze's 'The Village Bride' (1761) is presented as an example, depicting unsullied emotions and peasant life, aligning with Rousseau's belief in uncorrupted natural feelings, even when commissioned by the wealthy elite.

Hogarth's Social Commentary Through a Rousseauan Lens00:05:25

William Hogarth's 'The Breakfast Scene' from 'Marriage A-la-Mode' (1745) serves as another example reflecting Rousseau's ideas. Through satire and moralizing messages, Hogarth criticizes the wealthy's improprieties and corruption, highlighting the stark contrast to the 'natural' ideals Rousseau espoused. The painting details the decadent and irresponsible lives of an aristocratic couple, underscoring the societal flaws Rousseau criticized.

Grand Manner Portraiture and the Natural Aesthetic00:08:21

The Rousseauan influence also extended to portraiture, particularly in what is known as Grand Manner portraiture. Thomas Gainsborough's 'Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan' (1785) exemplifies this style, depicting the sitter in an unpretentious, natural setting, communing with nature with informal dress and soft features. This style aimed to portray individuals as uncorrupted by society, emotionally connected to the natural world, and often followed a formula of a large-scale figure in an Arcadian landscape with a low horizon line, as seen in other works like Joshua Reynolds' 'Lady Jane Halliday'.