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AP European History
Unit 4 Overview: Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
4.1 Contextualizing the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
4.2 The Scientific Revolution
4.3 The Enlightenment
4.4 18th-Century Society and Demographics
4.5 18th-Century Culture and Arts
4.6 Enlightened and Other Approaches to Power
4.7 Causation in the Age of the Scientific Revolution

🇪🇺ap european history review

4.5 18th-Century Culture and Arts

Verified for the 2025 AP European History exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024

Cultural Change and Continuity (1648–1815)

The 18th century was marked by rapid cultural changes shaped by Enlightenment ideals, growing urbanization, and increasing literacy. While traditional institutions like the monarchy and the Catholic Church remained powerful, Enlightenment thinkers began to challenge authority through the power of reason, education, and public discourse. The spread of new ideas was aided by print culture, as books, newspapers, and pamphlets circulated widely—despite the presence of state and religious censorship.

  • Salons and Coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange, especially in France and England, where philosophes debated politics, science, and art.
  • The growth of public opinion allowed ideas to move beyond elite circles and into middle-class households, helping to build momentum for future revolutions, especially the French and American Revolutions.

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While Enlightenment thought expanded access to knowledge, many social traditions remained unchanged. Women participated in intellectual life, but their rights were still limited. The working poor largely remained excluded from cultural developments and political reform.

Artistic Movements in the 18th Century

Baroque Art (Before 1750)

The Baroque style, developed in the 17th century, remained prominent into the early 18th century. It was known for its grandeur, intense emotion, dramatic lighting, and ornate detail. Baroque art served political and religious purposes:

  • Monarchs used baroque architecture and portraiture to glorify their power and divine right.
  • The Catholic Church used Baroque works in the Counter-Reformation to inspire faith through awe and splendor.

Key Artists:

  • Caravaggio – master of light and shadow (chiaroscuro)
  • Bernini – sculptor of St. Peter’s Baldachin and the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
  • Rembrandt – Dutch painter who explored human emotion in secular and religious scenes
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Rococo Art (1730–1780)

Rococo emerged as a reaction to the seriousness of Baroque. It reflected the tastes of the French aristocracy and focused on themes of love, playfulness, and leisure, often in lavish settings.

  • Rococo was light, decorative, and pastel-colored, often depicting upper-class life in garden scenes, romantic encounters, and elegant interiors.
  • Unlike Baroque, which was used to project power, Rococo emphasized pleasure, wit, and sensuality, marking a cultural shift among the elite.

Key Artist:

  • François Boucher – painted classical myths with erotic and playful tones
  • Jean-Honoré Fragonard – known for The Swing, which exemplifies Rococo’s elegance and whimsy

Neoclassicism (Late 18th Century)

As Enlightenment ideals took hold, Neoclassicism rose in opposition to Rococo. It reflected a return to order, morality, and civic virtue—drawing inspiration from Ancient Greece and Rome.

  • Neoclassical works celebrated republican values, reason, and discipline, aligning with Enlightenment emphasis on rational thought and the public good.
  • The movement paralleled the political revolutions of the era, especially the American and French Revolutions.

Key Artist:

  • Jacques-Louis David – painted historical and moral themes, such as Oath of the Horatii and The Death of Socrates

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NOTE: You should be aware of the social, political, and economic changes, and how people/society reflects these changes in art!

The Consumer Revolution

The 18th century also witnessed a Consumer Revolution, a dramatic increase in the availability and consumption of goods, particularly among the middle class.

  • Mass production and expanding trade networks, especially from global empires, brought goods like sugar, tea, cotton, mirrors, and porcelain into more homes.
  • As material goods became more accessible, people began to express identity, status, and values through what they owned, marking a shift in social life and culture.

This rise in consumption also affected women, who were often responsible for household purchases and became key participants in shaping consumer trends. The emergence of department stores, printed catalogs, and window shopping changed how Europeans interacted with products and created the early foundations of modern consumer culture.

Leisure and Urban Life

As more people moved to cities during and after the Agricultural Revolution, leisure became a visible part of cultural life.

  • Middle and upper-class Europeans attended salons, concerts, theaters, and coffeehouses.
  • Public parks, gardens, and promenades offered spaces for recreation and social display.
  • Popular pastimes included gambling, card games, horse racing, opera, and literature, all of which were increasingly enjoyed by the bourgeoisie.

While the aristocracy still dominated high culture, urban middle classes developed their own cultural habits, and the working class engaged in public celebrations, fairs, and local festivals.

Significance of 18th-Century Cultural Shifts

  • The Enlightenment encouraged a new worldview centered on reason, human rights, and skepticism of traditional authority, which reshaped cultural and artistic expression.

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  • Art transitioned from religious grandeur (Baroque), to aristocratic indulgence (Rococo), to civic-minded reform (Neoclassicism).
  • Print culture and consumerism helped democratize knowledge and goods, allowing more people to participate in cultural life, even if social inequalities persisted.

These developments laid the groundwork for political upheaval and modernization in the 19th century, as Enlightenment values and cultural shifts began to challenge the old order across Europe.

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Key Terms to Review (12)

Baroque Art: Baroque Art is a dramatic and elaborate style that emerged in the late 16th century and flourished throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, characterized by grandeur, emotion, and a sense of movement. It often features intense contrasts of light and shadow, intricate details, and dynamic compositions that evoke a sense of awe and spiritual intensity, connecting deeply with the cultural and religious shifts of its time.
Caravaggio: Caravaggio was an Italian Baroque painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, a technique called chiaroscuro, and for his realistic portrayal of human figures and emotions. His innovative approach to art influenced the Baroque style significantly, making him a pivotal figure in the transition from Mannerism to Baroque art, and leaving a lasting impact on 18th-century culture and arts.
Censorship: Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or other information that may be considered objectionable, harmful, or inconvenient by authorities. This practice has been a tool for controlling information and maintaining power throughout history, particularly in the context of cultural expressions, political dissent, and technological advancements.
Consumer Economy: A consumer economy is an economic system that relies heavily on the consumption of goods and services by individuals. It emphasizes the importance of consumer spending as a driving force for economic growth and development, often leading to increased production, innovation, and advertising. This concept gained prominence in various historical contexts, where societal values shifted towards materialism and consumerism.
Continuity and Change in Culture: Continuity and Change in Culture refers to the dynamic relationship between enduring cultural traditions and the transformations that occur over time. This concept highlights how cultural practices, values, and artistic expressions can remain consistent while also adapting to new influences, ideas, and historical contexts. In the 18th century, this interplay was evident as classical ideals persisted even as Enlightenment thought and new artistic movements began to reshape European culture.
Enlightenment Movement: The Enlightenment Movement was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in Europe during the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It fostered ideas about democracy, human rights, and scientific reasoning, leading to significant cultural and political changes throughout Europe.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini: Gian Lorenzo Bernini was a prominent Italian artist and architect of the Baroque period, known for his masterful sculptures and contributions to the development of Baroque art. His work is characterized by dynamic movement, emotional intensity, and intricate detail, showcasing the shift from Mannerism to Baroque as he infused drama into his pieces. Bernini's ability to blend architecture and sculpture helped define the aesthetic principles of the Baroque style and influenced 18th-century culture and arts.
Leisure Activities: Leisure activities refer to the various forms of entertainment and recreation that individuals engage in during their free time. In the context of 18th-century culture and arts, these activities played a vital role in shaping social interactions, cultural expression, and the development of new artistic trends. The rise of leisure activities during this period reflected broader societal changes, including urbanization, the expansion of the middle class, and the growing importance of individual enjoyment.
Neoclassicism: Neoclassicism was an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the mid-18th century, characterized by a revival of classical art and architecture inspired by the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. This movement emphasized harmony, simplicity, and proportion, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and influencing various forms of art, literature, and architecture during the 18th century. Neoclassicism aimed to convey moral messages and celebrate human reason through a return to classical themes and styles.
Rembrandt: Rembrandt van Rijn was a Dutch painter and etcher, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists in European art history, known for his masterful use of light and shadow, emotional depth, and innovative compositions. His work epitomizes the artistic achievements of the Northern Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing the intricacies of human emotion and the subtleties of everyday life.
Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Revolution was a period from the late 16th century to the 18th century during which new ideas in science emerged, fundamentally changing the way humanity understood the natural world. This era marked a shift from a reliance on religious explanations and classical authorities to empirical evidence and the scientific method, influencing various fields such as astronomy, physics, biology, and chemistry.
Upper-class Leisure Activities: Upper-class leisure activities refer to the pastimes and forms of entertainment that were primarily enjoyed by the wealthy elite during the 18th century. These activities often reflected social status and included pursuits like attending opera, hosting elaborate balls, participating in hunting, and engaging in intellectual salons. The leisure activities of the upper class were not just for enjoyment; they also served as a means of showcasing wealth, power, and cultural refinement in a rapidly changing European society.
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Practice QuizGlossary
4.6 Enlightened and Other Approaches to Power