Neoclassicism and the EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment was a period of great innovation and evolution. One of the most significant movements that owes at least most of its beginnings to the Enlightenment is the architectural and artistic movement of Neoclassicism. This neoclassicism of the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries valorizes the artistic ideals of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Etruscans. These ideals, including order, symmetry and balance, have been considered by many European generations to be the highest point of artistic excellence. Although many movements in European art were largely devoid of classical characteristics, they were always considered sources of inspiration and were revived as significant movements at least three times throughout European history, in the 12th century, during the Renaissance, and during the Age of this topic. , the Enlightenment, with its development of Neoclassicism. There are several events and movements within the Enlightenment that contributed to the rise of Neoclassicism. The expansion, evolution and redefinition of European classical education has been a major cause, as have the recent archaeological discoveries of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The rise of commissioned art and architecture and the refinement of art scholarship also gave rise to this movement. Finally, the general reaction to the exorbitant styles of Baroque and Rococo necessitated a return to the more orderly ideals of antiquity. The Neoclassical movement, for the purposes of this article, can be defined as the movement that, from 1750 to 1830, looked back to Greek art and Roman Artists, Philosophers, and Ideals as the high point of artistic achievement and then attempted to combine the feelings of solidarity and harmony of antiquity with new projects to create a vibrant and exciting, yet distinct and sober art form. From the "rustic hut" to the Doric to the Corinthian, the art of the ancients was seen as a perfect blend of "order, symmetry and simplicity of style".[1]This is what the artists and architects of France, England and Italy they tried to integrate into their art. One of the prime causes of the rise of neoclassicism is the reaction of many Enlightenment thinkers to Rococo and Baroque art. Baroque was too busy and ornamental for many people and... middle of paper... baroque and rococo forms. Neoclassicism was the dominant art form during a turbulent period in history. It influenced and withstood several national revolutions and international wars, and due to its strength and balance, perhaps the era was made even stronger thanks to the art and architecture that formed the backdrop to the action of the era. Bibliography Irwin, David. Neoclassicism. London, Phaidon, 1997. Watkin, David. German architecture and the classical ideal. Cambridge,MIT Press 1987.Rosenblum and Janson. 19th century art. New York, Abrams, 1984.Sculpture, 1760-1840." Eighteenth-Century Studies Vol. 34 (2000): 135Hutton, J. "Neoclassicism." CHOICE: Current Reviews for AcademicLibraries. Vol. 35 (1998): 1843http:/ /virtual.park.uga.edu/~232/voc/neoclassicism.voc.htmlhttp://www.grovereference.com/TDA/Samples/Neo.htmhttp://mistral.culture.fr/lumiere/documents/files/ imaginary_exhibition.htmlhttp://mistral.culture.fr/lumiere/documents/files/cadre_historique.html----------------------- ------ -----------------------------------[1] http://www.dictionary .com/search? q=neoclassicism[2] Irwin, 87[3] Irwin, 98