Classical Era and Displays of Morality

     Morality played a significant role in the classical era of art. As some may not be as visible as others, art was meant to tell stories and to have a deeper meaning behind them. When you look at a piece, viewers don't just look at the main element, but upon further inspection, more intricate details are discovered. Facts that help further portray the true meanings behind the piece and its true morality. The pieces I chose display the easy transition between the Rococo and the Neoclassical eras while also displaying their hidden morals. As to not only view the main aspects of each piece but to engage yourself and see how each artist uses elements such as the color of clothing, light, shadow, and, lastly, metaphorical references to more profound meaning.

The Love Letter, François Boucher

    This piece, The Love Letter by François Boucher, is a beautiful display of the pastels and soft curves in the Rococo period for art. The gentle faces of the women tying their love letters to the neck of the carrier pigeon in the quiet garden display a sense of clarity. This painting is warm and cheerful, filled with love. This could also display the distance between lovers and how one may feel not too far away from one's passion. However, now with advancements in technology, this could reflect upon today. The way the light dances can remember the happiness in this piece, as the main element is love itself. 

Broken Eggs, Jean-Baptiste Greuze

    This piece, Broken Eggs by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, is not what it initially seems. At first glance, one can assume that the older women are upset because the young girl dropped the basket of eggs. However, this painting is not so simple as the moral behind is much more convoluted. The broken eggs could symbolize the girl's virginity, as now all the eggs are broken and can not be mended back together, as reflected by the young boy trying to put the eggs back together. In other cultures and regions, this can also be viewed as crumbled-up flowers, but in this case, it's eggs. As we can see, the older woman was upset as the young girl was likely not married. The room looks dark and cold, while the girl is bright and fare. All the light in the room seems to reflect upon the girl to highlight her youthfulness while also her grief. 


The Death of Socrates, Jacques-Louis David

    If one is unaware, there was a story in The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David, as depicted in the title; it represents Socrates's death. After being accused of corrupting the minds of the youth with his constant questioning of a higher power, he was sentenced to death. This is a question of philosophy as he would rather die not being able to practice this or to stay silent without practicing his own will. This was the reason why after he was sentenced to death, he accepted his fate. He will mainly follow higher power, and if he were to reject his death, he would be committing a crime of immorality and injustice. Claiming to follow the laws that he would honor till the end. 


References

Campbell, Colin. “The Death of Socrates.” Medium, Life of Thought, 29 Apr. 2017, medium.com/lifeofthought/the-death-of-socrates-3708a302df26#:~:text=Socrates%20continues%20this%20idea%20of,life%20without%20philosophy%20and%20ideas.

“Genre Painting: Understanding a Moral Message.” QAGOMA Blog, 18 Oct. 2021, blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/genre-painting-understanding-a-moral-message-european-masterpieces-from-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-new-york/.

Randall, Kaylee. “François Boucher: The Love Letter.” Street Art Museum Tours, 8 Feb. 2021, streetartmuseumtours.com/2021/02/08/francois-boucher-the-love-letter/.

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