Context

Neoclassicism was a European artistic and cultural movement of the 18th and early 19th centuries, directly associated with the French Revolution and the Enlightenment. Marked by a return to the aesthetic and artistic principles of classical antiquity - Greece and Rome - it established itself as a reaction to the Baroque and Rococo, seeking to rescue simplicity, formal clarity, and sobriety.

The movement permeated various areas, including architecture, painting, literature, and music. Furthermore, it was driven by archaeological research in Roman and Greek sites, which led to a better understanding of these ancient cultures. Neoclassicism was also influenced by the Enlightenment, valuing reason, clarity, order, and simplicity.

Importance of Neoclassicism

The importance of Neoclassicism goes beyond its aesthetic influence. It reflects the period of great political and social changes in which it emerged. The ideas of freedom, equality, and fraternity, advocated during the French Revolution, are somewhat expressed in its works, marked by the valorization of Greek democracy and the Roman republic.

Furthermore, Neoclassicism still influences the world of art and architecture. It illustrates how history and social context can shape artistic creation and, conversely, how art can impact and reflect the culture of an era.

Practical Activity: "Recreating a Neoclassical Work"

Project Objective

The objective of the activity is to have students thoroughly research a neoclassical work of their choice and recreate it using easily accessible materials. Through this practical activity, students will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of neoclassical aesthetics, studying details of works from this period and reflecting on the techniques used by artists.

Project Description

Each group must choose a neoclassical work of art, which can be a painting, a sculpture, or an architectural building. Once the work is chosen, students should research the artist, the historical context in which the work was created, and the technique used. Then, the groups must recreate the work using various materials. The recreation does not need to be an exact copy but should retain the fundamental elements of the original work.

Required Materials

• Research materials (internet, books, magazines)
• Drawing and painting materials (pencils, brushes, paints, papers of different textures)
• Construction materials (for the recreation of sculptures or buildings)
• Camera or cell phone (for photographic documentation of the process and the final result)

Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Each group must choose a neoclassical work of art to focus on for the project.
3. Conduct a detailed research on the chosen work: author, historical context, technique used, symbolism, etc.
4. Plan the recreation of the work: discuss in the group about the materials to be used and how to maintain the essential elements of the original work.
5. Execute the plan: recreate the work.
6. Take photographic records throughout the process.
7. Prepare a report, containing:
   • Introduction: Provide context on neoclassical art and talk about the importance of the style for art history. Discuss the work you chose and why you chose it.
   • Development: Describe the research conducted on the work and its creator. Explain the process of recreating the work, discussing the materials used and why you chose them. Present the photos taken during the process. Relate what was learned to neoclassicism.
   • Conclusion: Talk about the experience of recreating a neoclassical work of art. What did you learn? What were the difficulties and how were they overcome? How did this experience contribute to the understanding of the neoclassical movement?
   • Bibliography: Indicate the research sources used.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group must deliver the recreated work and the report. The recreated work will be evaluated considering creativity and fidelity to neoclassical aesthetics. The report should demonstrate the students' understanding of neoclassicism, the progress of the project, and the learning acquired throughout the process.