Age of Enlightenment

Definition

The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought and values, influencing various fields including art, philosophy, science, and politics. This period saw a shift towards Neoclassicism in the arts, where artists drew inspiration from classical antiquity and the ideals of reason and virtue.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Age of Enlightenment is often associated with key figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and John Locke, who championed ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
2. The movement encouraged artists to explore themes of heroism, virtue, and rationality, leading to the rise of Neoclassical art as a response to the previous Baroque style.
3. Enlightenment thinkers often critiqued established institutions like monarchy and the church, advocating for reforms based on reason rather than tradition.
4. The principles of the Enlightenment directly influenced revolutionary movements around the world, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution.
5. In architecture, the Enlightenment led to a revival of classical forms characterized by symmetry, simplicity, and adherence to ancient Greek and Roman styles.

Review Questions

• How did the Age of Enlightenment influence the themes found in Neoclassical art?
  • The Age of Enlightenment had a profound impact on Neoclassical art by promoting themes that emphasized reason, virtue, and moral integrity. Artists sought inspiration from classical antiquity to embody these ideals through their works. This movement encouraged artists to depict historical or mythological subjects that highlighted human achievement and rationality, distinguishing itself from the emotional intensity of the preceding Baroque style.
• What role did Enlightenment thinkers play in shaping the principles underlying Neoclassical sculpture?
  • Enlightenment thinkers contributed significantly to the principles underlying Neoclassical sculpture by emphasizing ideals such as humanism, individualism, and moral integrity. Sculptors like Antonio Canova and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux drew upon classical themes to create works that embodied rationality and virtue. Their sculptures reflected Enlightenment values by focusing on realistic human forms and narratives that conveyed moral lessons or celebrated heroic figures from history or mythology.
• Evaluate how the architectural styles during the Age of Enlightenment reflected its core philosophies about society and governance.
  • Architectural styles during the Age of Enlightenment mirrored its core philosophies about society and governance by adopting classical forms that represented order, harmony, and democratic ideals. Structures designed in a Neoclassical style often featured columns, symmetry, and grand facades that symbolized stability and rationality. This architectural choice was a direct reflection of Enlightenment thinkers' advocacy for a government based on reasoned principles rather than tradition. As such, buildings like government institutions were designed to inspire civic pride while embodying values of equality and justice, reinforcing the movement’s belief in progress through rational thought.

Related terms

Rationalism:

A philosophical movement that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, leading to advancements in science and philosophy during the Enlightenment.

Empiricism:

A theory that states that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience, influencing scientific methods and thought during the Enlightenment.

Social Contract: A philosophical concept proposing that individuals consent to form societies and governments to protect their rights and maintain order, significantly shaping political theories in the Enlightenment.