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Classicism Facts & Worksheets

"Classicism" usually refers to the imitation of the art of classical antiquity (c.1000 BCE - 450 CE), notably the imitation of Greek art and Roman art, as well as earlier prototypes like Aegean Art and Etruscan art.

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“Classicism” usually refers to the imitation of the art of classical antiquity (c.1000 BCE – 450 CE), notably the imitation of Greek art and Roman art, as well as earlier prototypes like Aegean Art and Etruscan art.

See the fact file below for more information on the Classicism or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Classicism worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF CLASSICISM (Medieval to Renaissance)

  • Inspired by the earlier classical arts, civilizations continued the legacy beginning around 750. The Medieval Classicism of the Carolingian era gave birth to the architecture of the Palatine Chapel at Aachen, now Germany.
  • In era of Ottonian art (c. 900-1050) as well as the Byzantine art of the Eastern Roman Empire, most classicist art was produced inside Christian monasteries.
  • The Renaissance Classicism (1400-1600) in Italy witnessed the greatest of all classical revivals in Europe. Called the Italian Renaissance, architect Filippo Brunelleschi, the art theorist Leon Battista Alberti, the sculptor Donatello, and the painter Masaccio led the movement.
  • Classicism in Rome, also known as the High Renaissance, was epitomized by Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Vitruvian Man, a study of the proportions of the male human body described by the Roman architect Vitruvius.
  • Renaissance art in Venice was also greatly influenced by classical antiquity as seen in Byzantine-style mosaic art. It was also inspired by the classical art of architect Andrea Palladio.
  • The founding principles of the Italian Renaissance Classicism soon spread westwards into France and Spain, and northwards into Germany and the Low Countries.

HISTORY OF CLASSICISM (Baroque to Neoclassicism)

  • Baroque art made its entry in 1600-1700 but it still possessed few of Classicism’s important features. The greatest masters included Caravaggio and Andrea Pozzo.
  • Annibale Carracci and his Bolognese School also taught Classicism and Naturalism in 17th century Italian painting, as did Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain.
  • About 80 years later, Neoclassicism was introduced by the scholar Johann Winckelmann.
  • This new style is also shown by the neoclassical painting of Jacques-Louis David; the pictures of JAD Ingres, the neoclassical sculptures of Antonio Canova. and the architecture of Jacques Soufflot and Thomas Jefferson.
  • The development of modern science and social and political theory slowly began to decrease interest in classicism as Greek and Roman early knowledge did not conform to the discoveries.
  • As a result, Classicism was never as widespread in art and other areas in the 19th and 20th century as it had been previously.
  • The Classical Revival in modern art was revived around 1900-1930. This return to classical-style imagery included contributions from Pablo Picasso, Andre Derain, Matisse, Fernand Leger, Giorgio de Chirico, and Giorgio Morandi to name a few.

CLASSICISM IN THEATER

  • Classicism in the theater was developed in the 17th century by French playwrights as inspired and influenced by the rules of Greek classical theatre, including the “Classical unities” of time, place, and action, found in the Poetics of Aristotle.
  • Other classicist playwrights and their works include Pierre Corneille’s “Querelle du Cid,” Jean Racine’s “La Thébaïde”, and Molière’s “L’Étourdi ou les Contretemps.”

CLACSSICISM IN ARCHITECTURE

  • Classic architecture placed emphasis on symmetry, proportion, geometry, and the regularity of parts in architecture.
  • Other characteristics include orderly arrangements of columns, pilasters and lintels, the use of semicircular arches, hemispherical domes, niches, and aedicules in the profiles of buildings.

CLASSICISM IN POLITICS AND PHILOSOPHY

  • Socrates was a Greek philosopher who was pivotal in the development of Classical political philosophy. He thought that “the values that ought to determine how individuals live their lives should also shape the political life of the community”.
  • Aristotle stated that “The political theories of both philosophers are closely tied to their ethical theories, and their interest is in questions concerning constitutions or forms of government”.

CLASSICISM IN POPULAR CULTURE

  • Infashion, Classicism generally refers to an aesthetic derived from Ancient Greek and Roman art, using clean, simple lines to create a timeless look.
  • In photography, Classicism is highlighted by simplicity, proportion, clarity of structure, perfection, restrained emotion, and explicit appeal to the intellect.
  • In film, the goal of a classicist is to tell a story in the best way possible without getting distracted by filmmaking techniques. The audience must get caught up in the characters and their problems, feel what they feel, and understand the story development.

Classicism Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Classicism across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Classicism worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Classicism which usually refers to the imitation of the art of classical antiquity (c.1000 BCE – 450 CE), notably the imitation of Greek art and Roman art, as well as earlier prototypes like Aegean Art and Etruscan art.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Classicism Facts
  • Roots of Classicism
  • Classic Time
  • Classic Wall
  • The Classicist
  • Classical Sculpture
  • Classic Fashion
  • Classicism in Color
  • Classical Unities
  • Reinventing Classicism
  • Classical Order

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Link will appear as Classicism Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 3, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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