Art 101
With a great variety of movements, the French style of art has greatly evolved over the centuries. The French renaissance in late 15th century was inspired by mannerism, an Italian movement inspired by harmonious ideals and subtle naturalism. Common themes included a great deal of symbolism, mythology, and elongated and graceful figures. Baroque emerged in the early part of the 17th century with great dramatization, strong color, dark spaces, ideal proportions. The Rococo style was popular in the 18th century, bringing a comprehensive glittering and sparkling style with an appreciation for "primitive art" such as the art of Africa. Art was light and spacious and typically created for the wealthy aristocrats.
Neoclassicism portrayed Greek and Roman forms in art, while landscape was the focus of the Romantic Movement. Nude figures and drastic brush strokes were used during impressionism, while experiment in color and content was the subject of early 20th century. Cubism in France brought objects used in daily life together—newspapers, musical instruments, and wine—through art. While dada brought new elements to the French art style where artists explored the unconscious mind with mysterious landscapes and dreamlike imaged.
Famous French Artists:
Jean-Antoine Watteau
Eugene
Gustave Courbet
Paul Gauguin
Example of Folk Art: Two Nudes on a Tahitian Beach, 1892 Paul Gauguin
