Part IV The Classical Era

Transcription

1 Part IV The Classical Era prelude

2 18th century Age of Enlightenment Age of Reason Described as a rational century (by Eco in History of Beauty p. 237) - veneer that is frigid, cold, aloof and detached - underneath there is unbridled, violent passion - people were refined and cruel - Kant s The Critique of Pure Judgement (1764) - Marquis de Sade writes Justine (1791)

3 Kant vs. Marquis de Sade Kant from The Critique of Pure Judgment (1764) - Beauty [is] an object of pleasure apart from any interest.... It must contain the grounds for pleasure for everyone....he cannot explain his pleasure on the basis of any personal conditions. (Eco HofB p. 264) Marquis de Sade from Justine (1791) -... he gave me five or six blows that luckily, I parried with my hands. Then he bound my hands behind my backs;... the pain wrested tears from me that blended with the traces left by that raving monster, making them, he said, a thousand times more attractive... (Eco HofB p. 240) Do these quotes sound like they come from the same time period? Marquis de Sade was imprisoned for sexual offenses (Philip s Ency.).

4 Age of contradictions douceur de vivre vs. the guillotine douceur de vivre (sweetness of life) - Talleyrand is believed to have said that those who did not live before the Revolution (in France) do not know the sweetness of life - part of the ancien régime (aristocratic system in France from 14th to 18th century) Guillotine - tool of execution used during the French Revolution - Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette executed in 1793

5 Monarchy in the 18th century Enlightened Despot - Fredrick the Great of Prussia - retain power but show greater commitment to all citizens - Fredrick described himself as first servant of the state

6 Europe during the rule of Napoleon

7 Monarchy in the 18th century England has had a constitutional monarchy France goes from absolute monarchy to a Republic USA is born breaking away from Great Britain

8 Immanuel Kant Enlightened Philosopher ( ) wanted a mind free of obscurantism but supported absolute monarcy From Kant s What is the Enlightenment? - enlightenment is man s exit from his self-incurred minority. Minority is the incapacity to use one s intelligence without the guidance on another. [...] Have the courage to use your own intelligence! is therefore the motto of the enlightenment. - If I have a book which provides meaning for me, a pastor who has conscience for me, a doctor who will judge my diet for me and so on, then, I do not need to exert myself. I do not have any need to think; - SOURCE: Readings in the Western Humanities, Vol II, Fifth Ed.

9 Art in the 18th century Two primary styles: - Rococo - Neo-Classical These styles seem to suggest the underlying political tensions Rococo for the aristocracy Neo-Classical for the revolutionaries

10 Art in the 18th century Rococo is lighter and less grand than Baroque Well suited to the ruling class subjects tend to be frivolous and celebrate the upper-class life style Fragonard, The Swing (1766)

11 Art in the 18th century Neo-Classical - inspired by excavations in Pompeii (1748) and Herculaneum (1738) - shows a great interest in the art of ancient Rome - also a political interest in the Roman Republic - many of those sympathetic to the Neo-Classical style show an interest in revolutionary politics

12 Art in the 18th century Neo-Classical Art David Death of Marat (1793) Jean-Paul Marat was a writer radical and revolutionary in France. Assassinated by Charlotte Corday.

13 Music In music, we call this period Classical. Mozart, Haydn, and early Beethoven are all consider Classical Period composers. many of the standard classical forms and genres evolve during this period - - Sonata & Rondo Form genres: Symphony, String Quartet, & Concerto