Morality & the Classical Era

Introduction 

    The moral revolution that took place in Europe in the 1700s was a culmination of multiple cultural shifts and events that changed the path of art. After the blatant expression of values based around materialism, classism, wealth and exclusivity flaunted in the dominant era that preceded, Rococo, people began to question their rulers and churches. They began revolting against the shallow, harmful ideas and returning to the strong, virtuous morals represented in classical art. This, combined with the empowerment the Enlightenment brought through emphasis on intellect, reason, and humanism created art that embraced the Greco-Roman antiquity a time before and set a new moral standard for society and the art that reflected it. This can be illustrated through Psyché Revived by Cupid, The Oath of the Horatii & Portrait of Anna Pitt as Hebe. 

Psyché Revived by Cupid 

    Psyché Revived by Cupid is a marble sculpture created by Italian artist, Anthony Canova. It was created in Italy in 1793 and is now at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France. The sculpture represents Greco-Roman antiquity, telling the story of Eros (Cupid,) Venus and Psyché. In this story, Venus, the mother of Eros, insists that Psyché retrieve a flask from the underworld, but forbids her from drinking it. Her curiosity overtakes her and she surrenders herself to a deathlike sleep caused by the fumes in the flask. The sculpture depicts Eros trying to wake Psyché up from the sleep. This sculpture illustrates the power of temptation, love, and passion, driving emotions that are intrinsic to the human experience and were coveted at a time of reinvented values. It shows the love between them and tells a story of consequence. It also displays a classical representation of human bodies in motion. It lets the body's beauty be defined by the strain and intent of the action it is carrying out.

Elemental Approach & Emotion

    Psyché Revived by Cupid embodies many of the elements of the Neoclassical era. The pure white of the sculpture prioritizes the story over flashiness, and emphasizes the form of the subjects by casting shadows. By emphasizing this detailed and meticulous 360 degree form, we can feel the emotions brought by the story and intense body language. Psyché stretches toward her lover, possessing desperation, consequence, and love, while Eros possesses a parallel love, with strength and concern as he wraps himself around her. This painting brings up a lot of emotions surrounding love and care, but also beckons at repercussion and temptation. 

The Oath of the Horatii 

    The Oath of the Horatii is an oil on canvas painting created in 1784 by French artist, Jacques-Louis David. It was made in France and is currently at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France. It tells another famous Greco-Roman story about war. In ancient times, the cities of Rome and Alba were at war. Each city chose their most impressive fighters to honor them and end the war. The painting shows the three Horatii brothers as their father gives them their weapons, and the women of the family mourn the potential loss of their brothers, sons and husbands. As one of the most recognized paintings of the Neoclassical era, this painting has a lot to say about morality. The painting represents nobility, civic duty, patriotism, and sacrifice. It shows that one has a duty to protect and service their country, at any cost. This was incredibly relevant as the people of France's intolerance towards their rulers was building up towards the revolution, and Jacques-Louis David was an active and dedicated supporter of the uprising. His paintings were a revolutionary tool that contradicted the morals of Rococo and its patrons, and mobilized this new morality through art that called viewers to action. 

Elemental Approach & Emotion

    The Oath of the Horatii is a clear exhibition of Neoclassical art elements. It shows understated primary colors, clean lines, precise detail and clarity in the form of each subject. Nothing is left to subjectivity, and this aids the telling of the painting's intended message. Each person in the painting is purposeful and wears their emotion unambiguously. The soldiers and their father, strong, certain and ready to rise to the occasion. The women, slouched in grief, but not detesting. The painting is cinematic, and carves out a moment in time. This painting forges dutiful feelings, and brings up introspective questions about what you would be willing to do for something you care about. 

Portrait of Anna Pitt as Hebe 

    Portrait of Anna Pitt as Hebe is an oil on canvas painting by French artist, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. It was created in France in 1792, and is currently at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It depicts Anna Pitt, 16, as Hebe, daughter of Zeus, cup-bearer to the Gods, and Goddess of Youth as told by classical antiquity. Women were often used to represent love, poetry, beauty, and modesty. This painting shows the beautiful young woman and protector of the fountain of youth, looking on with responsibility and modesty. Her face is soft, not possessing the seriousness that a portrait of a man might. She is holding an ewer, which represented the volume of her responsibility as cup-bearer. This painting illustrates the view of women in antiquity and how they were used to symbolize morality. 

Elemental Approach & Emotion 

    This painting shows the soft somberness of neoclassical art. The colors are dark, yet pale. There is a subtle depth in the sky that highlights the warm light illuminating her soft face. That softness is paired with a sense of pride, purpose and necessity in her tasks, and the props surrounding her add to this even more. The lines are clear and precise, adding a historical and realistic feel. Her long, flowing hair reveals her Goddess identity. This painting brings out a sense of pride in womanhood and responsibility. It reminds me of the excitement a young woman might feel when getting the first job on her career path and finally feeling that she is putting her intellect, passion and ability to good use. 

Aesthetic Appeal 

    Each of these paintings has a strong and clear moral purpose and elicits feelings of responsibility, sacrifice, love or self-reflection. The stories are very fantastical and provocative, and it is easy to fall into the intended message of the storytelling. This is cemented in the real world by the clarity and directness of neoclassical art. The Oath of Horatii is a powerful painting that shows sacrifice for something you believe in, but I personally would not own a copy. I am more drawn to intimate and emotional stories about the power and consequence of love, temptation and passion, like we see in Psyché Revived by Cupid. I would definitely own a mini version of it, as well as a copy of Portrait of Anna Pitt as Hebe. This painting is probably my favorite, as it resonates with my pride in womanhood, and a sense of capability as a young, educated and responsible woman. 

Works Cited 

Ewer. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ewer. 

History.com Editors. “French Revolution.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/france/french-revolution. 

French Revolution. Metmuseum.org, www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jldv/hd_jldv.htm. 

“HEBE.” HEBE - Greek Goddess of Youth, Cupbearer of the Gods (Roman Juventas), www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Hebe.html. 

Rice, Kelly, et al. “Women in Greek Mythology.” A Journey into Greek Mythology, rampages.us/okayyoo/2016/10/18/women-in-greek-mythology/. 

Boundless. “Neoclassical Art.” Lumen, courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/neoclassicism/. 

History.com Editors. “Enlightenment.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 16 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/british-history/enlightenment. 

Schmitter, Amy M. “17th And 18th Century Theories of Emotions.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 15 Oct. 2010, plato.stanford.edu/entries/emotions-17th18th/. 

Ian Jenkins, Introduction by Raci. “The Human Body in Greek Art and Thought.” Members-Only Online Insider Resource for Luxury Living at Insider Prices, 10 June 2019, www.gdcinteriors.com/body-in-greek-art/. 

Enemies of Rome: Alba Longa, jaysromanhistory.com/romeweb/enemies/art1.htm. 

“The Oath of the Horatii.” The Oath of the Horatii | Louvre Museum | Paris, www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/oath-horatii.