ART 142 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Industrial Revolution, Antoine-Jean Gros, Ghent Altarpiece
Document Summary
French revolution = overthrow of french monarchy. Industrial revolution + war = moving to city: new special class called proletariat, bad working conditions, bad pay. Atala was converted to christianity and vowed to remain a virgin. She then meets chactas ( who is from another tribe). She wants him,and so kills herself to preserve her virginity. Chactas holding her feet, monk carrying her. Relationship to neo- classicism: light (physical + mental illumination, high moral time, sharp outlines. Fantasy idea; new realm; noble savage: primitive and passionate. Napoleon had been the leader of the french army; declared himself emperor after a coup d"etat. Neo- classical in style ( outline, clarity, parallel to plane, bright light) Opulence ( robe, cape, sceptre, carpet, throne, etc. ) Found this similar to central panel of ghent altarpiece (god in a throne: becoming divine. Went to rome with state-sponsored income for 4 years; stayed afterwards. Would send his paintings to be shown in paris.
