Neo Classicism was the stepping stone between Rococo and Romanticism, and artists in this period looked to Greece and Rome for inspiration. Most of the time in Neo Classicist paintings you could see the use of a spotlight on the focal point of the painting.Three artists in this period include Francisco Goya, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and Antonio Canova.
The painting depicts Satan surrounded by a group of disfigured witches.Satan appears as a near-shadow goat man.The women vary in age but share an alike distortion throughout the work. It is considered to be a part of the fourteen or more paintings depicting Goya’s “Black Paintings.” Which depict dark scenes.
El Entierro de la Sardina, Francisco de Goya, 1808/1812, From the collection of: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
This painting translates to "the burial of the sardine".This depicts the Corpus Christi Festival in Madrid on Ash Wednesday.This is one of the paintings connected to the "black paintings" as before.You can see some quick brush strokes, which were common in Goya's paintings. Also the color tone is darkened and the it seems that death has a light shined on it.
Portrait of the Countess of Tournon, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, French, 1780 - 1867, 1812, From the collection of: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Although the model is not youthful, the Countess confronts the viewer with a focused gaze which captivated the artist. She was the mother of a French nobleman, and the only elderly woman that Ingres ever painted. The artist puts much detail into her body and the fabrics she is wearing. Some say that this painting paved the way for more expressionful portraits.
The Betrothal of Raphael and the Niece of Cardinal Bibbiena, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1813-14, From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
This painting reflects Ingres's Romantic fascination with the lives of artists of the past. Ingres admired Raphael. In this scene, Cardinal Bibbiena presents his niece as a bride for Raphael.You can see how the center of this painting is lit up as if there is a spotlight on Raphael and his bride.
The Wife of Ceán Bermúdez, Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, ca. 1785, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
In this oil painting you can see the detail that Goya put into her skirt and face. this is said to be one of the paintings that Goya worked hardest on. This is most likely because Cean Bermudez was a writer on art, so Goya was trying too impress him.
La maladie d'Antiochus, ou Antiochus et Stratonice, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1840, From the collection of: Château de Chantilly
This scene is portraying a sick man in bed at a very prestigious palace. Some theories tell that the women is supposed to represent a guardian angel to the dying man, and he is frightened by the sight of her because it means that his end will come soon. You can see how much detail Ingres put into this painting by the detail in the columns, and the mans facial expression. You could see detail in basically everything you look at in this painting. Ingres also uses shadowing to create depth, and a focal point which was common in this period.
Ritratto di Amedeo Svayer, Antonio Canova, 1791 - 1822, From the collection of: Museo Correr
Canova is known for creating smooth surfaces, being a little dark, and really portraying things the way they are in real life. As you can see in this painting, it is very dark in color, and the model doesn't look exactly happy. He was also known for painting real people rather than exclusively royals.
Amore e Psiche, Antonio Canova, 1789 - 1794, From the collection of: Museo Correr
This romantic painting translates into Psyche revived by cupids kiss. It portrays mythological lovers in a great moment of emotion. This panting was actually originally a sculpture by Canova, in which you could see the smooth skin by the way he worked with the marble.
Three Graces, Antonio Canova, 1813 - 1816, From the collection of: The State Hermitage Museum
Canova was much admired for his sculptures. This particular one he sculpted while in Rome in 1814. It portrays three of Zeus's daughters, who represented beauty, charm, and joy. As you can see, the skin is portrayed to be very smooth, because of how thin Canova works with the marble. Also, many of Canova's painting include mythical gods and creatures, because they interested him.
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