Classical Era
In music, many of the great composers Like Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn all became prominent names through their ability to fully embody all that classical music is. Following in a similar pattern, art also took a turn in the sass towards a much more modern medium. The need to fell each open space with some form of art was no longer a big worry in classical art. In fact, the use of lighter colors, more structure, and small ornate details where much more preferred. This view point of art was not only seen in paintings, but also in the sculptures and architectural designs for this time period.
A well-known architect for this time was Robert Adam. Who was more adapt at interior design. His designs showcased exquisite delicate details as well as portraying a common comfort and intimacy. This time period, would be a time for stretching the boundaries of the mind and creating an everlasting image through simple and pure techniques. Pertaining to the music, an example of an almost effortless seeming form of music is, Beethoven’s own “Fјr Elise” (1810). In this piece specifically, parallelisms within the piece are prominent as well as a much slower melodic tempo than that seen In Baroque pieces.
His use of dynamics pairs with the tension created throughout the piece only to be resolved at the end by the simple main melody coming back through. From this time period there is another great composer, Haydn. One of his many pieces is his “Symphony No. 94” (1792), which is also known as his, “Surprise Symphony. The title in itself describes the piece beautifully, while following along with the piece, there were quite a few surprises In it. Sudden changes in dynamics and rhythm would shock the audience creating quite a stir.
Another Beethoven piece to look at Is his piano sonata, “Passionate” (1805). In this sonata, the common occurrence is a strict melody played by a solo pianist. Keeping with the classical trend, most of the piece is contingent with following a similar chord pattern which gives tit much smoother flow. Music during this time embodied, simple fluidity creating some of the most well-known melodic and consistently flowing pieces still today. Art, Just like Its counterpart music, also experienced a change during this time period. No more would artists more minimalist feel.
Art itself was viewed during this time as a form of education for the community, and was meant to enhance and promote the morality of the public. An example of this form of art is “The Apotheosis of Homer” (1827) by Jean- Augusta-Dominique Ingress, although painted a couple years later than when the classical period ended, it is still very much in that classical mode. By using lighter colors, and centering in on one specific aspect, Jean draws his audience’s attention to the center of the painting where he shows them the crowning of Homer.
The lighter colors like the lighter melodic feel in music are an attribute of the Classical Era. In Joseph-Marie Vine’s, “The Cupid Seller” (1763) he uses a technique commonly used in many Classical Era pieces, he lightens his main subjects. When looking at the painting, the subjects themselves seem to have a glow while everything else around them is darkened and less focused. Another piece that has this same effect is François Grade’s “Portrait of Juliet Racier” (1805).
His painting portrays a single woman lounging across a chair. She like in, “The Cupid Seller”, is lighter than her surroundings making her the focal point. Music and art both had this similar tendency, to focus on a single aspect or form by which they were trying to portray. The Classical Era was a time of enlightenment and change, from the heavy, dark, and lambent properties that were the Baroque Era to a more noble simplicity. In this time, ideas were borrowed from their ancient counterparts of the Romans and Greeks.
