大家好，我是J2.
續上次講了三個藝術運動的「時代背景」，趁過年期間再來分享另外三個藝術運動的時代背景。
Romanticism 浪漫主義
浪漫主義的背景正處於君主政權的結束，取而代之的是保障人民的憲政時期。在1776的美國革命以及1789法國大革命後相繼出現，直到1800至1860年間到達巔峰。主題主要是政治、經濟、社會的動盪。
圖：Eugène Delacroix, “Liberty Guiding the People”
The dramatic nature of artworks belonging to the romanticism era can be explained by the fact that this period followed the age of revolution when monarchies across the world were replaced with constitutions, securing the people's rule. Romanticism was born in the wake of the American Revolution in 1776, and the French revolution in 1789. Between 1800 and 1860, romanticism was at its peak. Political, economic, and social upheaval was the norm in these themes carried over into the world of art.
Neoclassicism 新古典主義
在新古典主義的1760年代，考古學是個新興的科學，大眾開始對任何古代的事物都感到興致勃勃，像是發現了歷史古城龐貝城，給民眾有機會一窺古代藝術。有別於在此之前的巴洛克喜好富麗的裝飾和雕刻，新古典主義重在簡單並低調的宏偉壯麗。不只是當時藝術家，民眾也都為古希臘羅馬藝術深深著迷著。
圖：Benjamin West, “Death of General Wolfe”
Archeology was a brand-new science at the time and it sparked public interest in all things ancient. The discovery of ruins of ancient cities like Pompeii gave modern viewers the opportunity to see ancient art for themselves.Simplicity and subtle grandeur marked the art of these ancient cultures and with its rediscovery, it quickly came back into vogue. Both artists and the public at large were captivated by the classical style of Greco-Roman art.
Art Nouveau 新藝術運動
十九世紀末期，要被稱作是藝術家，必須上正規藝術學校，要非常嚴格的學習線條、圖形等等才能呈現出當時最理想的人物或是風景。 當然有些人就不屑這種學院派風格。他們認為藝術不該像是科學或是數學一板一眼的，應該是有靈魂的。這些離經叛道的藝術家樹立自己的風格，一個短暫但卻影響深遠的藝術運動— 新藝術運動就此誕生。
圖：Alphonse Mucha, “Gismonda,”
By the late 1800s art in Europe had taken a decidedly academic turn. To be considered the serious artist, individuals had to attend one of the many arts academies. They needed to commit to a rigorous study of line, shape, form and texture with the ultimate goal of producing paintings of idealized figures and landscapes. And of course for all the artists who did just that, some thought academic art was rubbish and reacted accordingly. They believed art isn’t mean to be studied like science or math. They thought art flows from the soul, twists through the consciousness and decorates life with its beauty. These rebel artists driven to impart their own style in the art world were the innovators of a very short but highly influential movement, known as Art Nouveau.
下次再繼續分享藝術運動的其他重點！祝大家新年快樂，牛年哞煩哞惱！
Cheers,
J2
