Enlightenment

Definition

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It was characterized by a shift towards scientific inquiry and the belief in progress through knowledge, which influenced various fields including philosophy, politics, and the arts. This cultural shift laid the groundwork for modern thought and had a significant impact on the development of Rococo art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Enlightenment challenged the existing societal norms and structures, promoting ideas about democracy, individual rights, and freedoms.
2. Key figures of the Enlightenment, like Voltaire and Rousseau, greatly influenced artistic movements, including Rococo, by advocating for themes of love, beauty, and nature.
3. The Rococo style emerged as a response to the rationalism of earlier periods, favoring ornate designs, playful subjects, and emotional expressions.
4. Art during the Enlightenment reflected the values of the time by prioritizing themes that celebrated human experience, emotion, and individual expression.
5. The influence of Enlightenment thought is evident in Rococo art’s focus on leisure activities, intimacy, and the pleasures of life, marking a departure from previous artistic conventions.

Review Questions

• How did Enlightenment ideas influence the themes and styles found in Rococo art?
  • Enlightenment ideas significantly shaped Rococo art by promoting themes that celebrated individual experience and emotional expression. Artists began to move away from strict historical or religious themes to focus on everyday life, love, and pleasure. This shift mirrored the Enlightenment's emphasis on personal freedom and humanistic values, resulting in art that was more playful and intimate in nature.
• Discuss how the principles of reason and individualism during the Enlightenment impacted the perception of beauty in Rococo art.
  • During the Enlightenment, principles of reason and individualism led to a redefinition of beauty in art. Artists began to emphasize personal interpretation and emotional resonance rather than adhering to classical ideals. This change allowed Rococo artists to explore whimsical forms and colors that reflected their own perspectives on beauty, creating artworks that were more dynamic and engaging for viewers.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Enlightenment thought on subsequent artistic movements following Rococo. How did it shape future artistic expression?
  • The lasting impact of Enlightenment thought on subsequent artistic movements is profound as it encouraged ongoing exploration of individuality and emotion. After Rococo, movements like Romanticism embraced these ideals by focusing even more on personal feelings and the sublime aspects of nature. The questioning of authority established during the Enlightenment set the stage for artists to explore new subjects and techniques that would continue to evolve into modern art forms. This evolution highlights how foundational Enlightenment ideas have shaped artistic expression throughout history.

Related terms

Rationalism: A philosophical belief that reason is the primary source of knowledge and is superior to sensory experience.

Empiricism: The theory that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, emphasizing observation and experimentation.

Humanism:

An intellectual movement focusing on human potential and achievements, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity and emphasizing the importance of individual experience.