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4.5 18th-Century Culture and Arts

3 min readjanuary 23, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Continuity and Change in Culture

was prevalent in 18th-century Europe, with governments and religious institutions exerting control over the flow of information and ideas. The main purpose of during this period was to maintain social order, protect the ruling elite, and uphold traditional values and beliefs. However, despite , intellectuals relied on an increase in printed materials to distribute information. Using false names for publishing and engaging in private conversations in coffeehouses and salons, people circumvented to develop a public opinion and circulate information out of private circles through newspapers, books, and pamphlets.

Although intellectuals of the time were introducing new scientific ideas about how the world works, the daily lives of people did not change much with this new information. Women began including themselves in the , being educated by their husbands who were politically involved, and writing to advocate for their own rights. However, women and the working poor remained largely unaffected.

Traditional authorities of the Catholic Church and monarchies were still considered experts in many ways, but the and the reasoning of humans supported by the Enlightenment began to change their established roles. Monarchs started supporting the studies of philosophers and scientists to increase their own power. Intellectuals researched their own ideas of best practices for the government and the economy, which created a platform of ideas for future revolutions.

🎥 Watch: AP European History - New Societal Order

Baroque Art

Until around 1750, was a symbol of authority, mostly used in religious imagery to convey power. Monarchs used the baroque style to imitate the same power and authority. is characterized by extreme contrast of colors, emotions, movement, elaborate decor, and theatrical dramatics. 🎭

Additionally, employs the use of light to show contrast. , , and are some of the most commonly known Baroque Names. Sculptures were often very ornate and depicted extreme movement and emotion as well. 

🎥 Watch: AP European History - Rocco Art

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-lOP3W3Hd880b.jpg?alt=media&token=0d3b9d23-3e59-4922-b942-9f23b8c55396

Image Courtesy of Artsy

Neoclassicism

True to its name, was a new version of the Classics. focused on the characteristics of the ancient classics—column-based architecture, politically focused citizens, education, mythology, etc. The selected hues are often muted, and the focal point is typically something historical or political.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-IDxD1lFuVYYB.jpg?alt=media&token=612269ce-f4a8-4f65-af15-fbb393396916

Image Courtesy of Useum

Leisure Activities

Through urbanization, people more consistently began living in cities and contributed to the development of a and a rising working class. While the poor struggled to afford new consumer items, such as dishes, books, new clothing, cotton linens, mirrors, and home decor, the middle class could purchase them and other luxury items previously reserved for aristocrats of the time. 🧵

in 18th-century Europe included hunting, horseback riding, and attending balls and other social events. The aristocracy also enjoyed participating in outdoor activities such as picnics, fishing, and gardening. Many also spent time at country estates or visited spas and resorts to escape the heat and pollution of the cities.

However, other activities developed and expanded to the middle class, including trips to the theatre, opera, and museums; sports like horse racing, boxing, and cricket; as well as visits to coffeehouses and other public gathering spaces.

Key Terms to Review (12)

Baroque Art

: Baroque Art is a style that emerged in Europe from late 16th century to early 18th century characterized by grandeur, drama, movement, tension and emotional intensity.

Caravaggio

: Caravaggio was an influential Italian painter from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, known for his innovative use of light and shadow in what came to be known as tenebrism.

Censorship

: Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.

Consumer Economy

: A consumer economy is an economic system that depends on a large amount of spending by consumers who buy goods and services produced within that economy.

Continuity and Change in Culture

: This term refers to the ongoing process of cultural evolution, where certain aspects of a culture remain constant (continuity) while others evolve or transform over time (change).

Enlightenment Movement

: The Enlightenment Movement was an intellectual movement during the 17th-18th century which emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards traditional institutions, and belief in progress through knowledge.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

: Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian sculptor and architect who worked primarily in Rome. He is considered a leading figure in Baroque architecture.

Leisure Activities

: Leisure activities refer to the non-work related activities that people engage in during their free time for enjoyment, relaxation, or self-improvement.

Neoclassicism

: Neoclassicism is a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity.

Rembrandt

: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history and the most important in Dutch history.

Scientific Revolution

: The Scientific Revolution was a period of significant change in thought and understanding about the physical universe during the 16th and 17th centuries. It marked a shift from religious, philosophical explanations to empirical observation and experimentation.

Upper-class Leisure Activities

: These are leisure activities that are typically associated with or accessible to people of high social and economic status.

4.5 18th-Century Culture and Arts

3 min readjanuary 23, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Continuity and Change in Culture

was prevalent in 18th-century Europe, with governments and religious institutions exerting control over the flow of information and ideas. The main purpose of during this period was to maintain social order, protect the ruling elite, and uphold traditional values and beliefs. However, despite , intellectuals relied on an increase in printed materials to distribute information. Using false names for publishing and engaging in private conversations in coffeehouses and salons, people circumvented to develop a public opinion and circulate information out of private circles through newspapers, books, and pamphlets.

Although intellectuals of the time were introducing new scientific ideas about how the world works, the daily lives of people did not change much with this new information. Women began including themselves in the , being educated by their husbands who were politically involved, and writing to advocate for their own rights. However, women and the working poor remained largely unaffected.

Traditional authorities of the Catholic Church and monarchies were still considered experts in many ways, but the and the reasoning of humans supported by the Enlightenment began to change their established roles. Monarchs started supporting the studies of philosophers and scientists to increase their own power. Intellectuals researched their own ideas of best practices for the government and the economy, which created a platform of ideas for future revolutions.

🎥 Watch: AP European History - New Societal Order

Baroque Art

Until around 1750, was a symbol of authority, mostly used in religious imagery to convey power. Monarchs used the baroque style to imitate the same power and authority. is characterized by extreme contrast of colors, emotions, movement, elaborate decor, and theatrical dramatics. 🎭

Additionally, employs the use of light to show contrast. , , and are some of the most commonly known Baroque Names. Sculptures were often very ornate and depicted extreme movement and emotion as well. 

🎥 Watch: AP European History - Rocco Art

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-lOP3W3Hd880b.jpg?alt=media&token=0d3b9d23-3e59-4922-b942-9f23b8c55396

Image Courtesy of Artsy

Neoclassicism

True to its name, was a new version of the Classics. focused on the characteristics of the ancient classics—column-based architecture, politically focused citizens, education, mythology, etc. The selected hues are often muted, and the focal point is typically something historical or political.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-IDxD1lFuVYYB.jpg?alt=media&token=612269ce-f4a8-4f65-af15-fbb393396916

Image Courtesy of Useum

Leisure Activities

Through urbanization, people more consistently began living in cities and contributed to the development of a and a rising working class. While the poor struggled to afford new consumer items, such as dishes, books, new clothing, cotton linens, mirrors, and home decor, the middle class could purchase them and other luxury items previously reserved for aristocrats of the time. 🧵

in 18th-century Europe included hunting, horseback riding, and attending balls and other social events. The aristocracy also enjoyed participating in outdoor activities such as picnics, fishing, and gardening. Many also spent time at country estates or visited spas and resorts to escape the heat and pollution of the cities.

However, other activities developed and expanded to the middle class, including trips to the theatre, opera, and museums; sports like horse racing, boxing, and cricket; as well as visits to coffeehouses and other public gathering spaces.

Key Terms to Review (12)

Baroque Art

: Baroque Art is a style that emerged in Europe from late 16th century to early 18th century characterized by grandeur, drama, movement, tension and emotional intensity.

Caravaggio

: Caravaggio was an influential Italian painter from the late 16th and early 17th centuries, known for his innovative use of light and shadow in what came to be known as tenebrism.

Censorship

: Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.

Consumer Economy

: A consumer economy is an economic system that depends on a large amount of spending by consumers who buy goods and services produced within that economy.

Continuity and Change in Culture

: This term refers to the ongoing process of cultural evolution, where certain aspects of a culture remain constant (continuity) while others evolve or transform over time (change).

Enlightenment Movement

: The Enlightenment Movement was an intellectual movement during the 17th-18th century which emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards traditional institutions, and belief in progress through knowledge.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

: Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian sculptor and architect who worked primarily in Rome. He is considered a leading figure in Baroque architecture.

Leisure Activities

: Leisure activities refer to the non-work related activities that people engage in during their free time for enjoyment, relaxation, or self-improvement.

Neoclassicism

: Neoclassicism is a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity.

Rembrandt

: Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history and the most important in Dutch history.

Scientific Revolution

: The Scientific Revolution was a period of significant change in thought and understanding about the physical universe during the 16th and 17th centuries. It marked a shift from religious, philosophical explanations to empirical observation and experimentation.

Upper-class Leisure Activities

: These are leisure activities that are typically associated with or accessible to people of high social and economic status.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.