Delacroix used the French Revolution as dramatic material to craft stunning works such as his depictions of proletariat versus bourgeois fighting that are both patriotic and romantic.
Rococo paintings of elegant figures suffused with seduction were widely seen as being quintessentially French art, however enlightenment thinking soon saw this style being abandoned in favor of something “nobler”, known as Neoclassicism.
Painting
Painting is one of the premier forms of artistic expression, providing artists with a medium through which to showcase their talent and tell their own personal tale.
Painting can be created through various techniques – oil painting, watercolour, acrylic or mixed media painting are just a few examples – each technique providing its own style and approach to this medium of expression.
Painting has historically referred to oil paintings on canvas; works on paper are considered drawings. But in today’s interdisciplinary environment, this distinction no longer holds up so clearly – Picasso for instance is well known for incorporating different styles such as cubism, abstract and figurative painting styles into his colourful lyrical paintings that often fetch huge sums at auctions.
Sculpture
From early infancy on, all humans experience three-dimensional forms, discover some of their structural and expressive properties, and develop a sensory response to them – known collectively as our sense of form.
Sculpture is one of the oldest and most innovative art forms. This form involves shaping hard or flexible material into three-dimensional objects.
Sculpture has historically had a close relationship with architecture. Each public building project – whether churches or palaces – typically included an accompanying program of sculpture. Modernism emerged at the close of the 19th century and into the early 20th, diverging from Neoclassical styles in favor of psychological realism and stylization; they moved away from considering sculpture as something physical in space; instead viewing it more as an experience of plane, mass or volume.
Literature
Literature can be broadly defined as any written material – this includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction and journalism works – though literature tends to fall under certain categories and only those works possessing “artistic merit” can truly qualify.
Books by Mark Twain or Jane Austen would likely be considered literature by most critics, although some may view these works differently. Many books are considered literary simply due to how they reinforce cultural values – this process is known as canon formation.
Realism art movement caused shockwaves within the Academy establishment by depicting natural landscapes with no decorative flourishes and depicting common working-class subjects, like peasants. Conversely, Gothic manuscripts such as Pucelle’s Books of Hours might be considered literature by some.
Music
At the height of Renaissance and early Baroque periods in France, popular secular vocal music known as airs quickly spread. Troubadours delighted audiences by combining amusing poetry with musical performances.
Debussy revolutionized Impressionist tunes with his groundbreaking works such as “Clair de Lune” and “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.” Maurice Ravel pioneered Symbolist music with his innovative harmonics.
Folk music styles from remote regions, such as Corsica or the French Alps, remain alive today. Artists such as Daft Punk and Justice draw on various French musical traditions for inspiration while singer-songwriters Serge Gainsbourg and France Gall have found immense fame thanks to catchy lyrics and infectious rhythms.
Architecture
Architecture is the art of designing buildings and other physical structures. It is commonly considered a form of fine art, used to express culture since antiquity. Roman architect Vitruvius wrote that an ideal building must embody firmitas utilitas venustas (durability, functionality and beauty).
The 19th century saw the birth of Art Nouveau with its flowing curves and decorative nature-inspired patterns; Arts and Crafts (which valued personal craftsmanship over industrialization); Neoclassical architecture inspired by classical design (resurfacing in mid-20th century as an antidote to Modernism’s emphasis on function over form); and Neoclassical Revival which looked to the classical past for inspiration.
In today’s uncertain environment, architects are more valuable than ever. Their skills lie in envisioning and realizing future visions.