This collection will present concepts of idealism seen within art, architecture, and philosophy, of different cultures and time periods. Idealism originated as an identifiable trait seen in Classical and Neoclassical styles and ideas, which have been reflected throughout time. This collection will highlight some of the many arts, structures, and concepts, of specific cultures, that utilized components of idealism within their styles.

Classicism is a reflection of style and philosophy seen in ancient Rome and Greece, idealism is a concept seen within the classical styles. Classicism can be portrayed within art, architecture, and philosophies, as it was in ancient Greece and Rome. Classicism has been reflected throughout centuries, following the classical age of the ancient Romans and Greeks. Such reflections have been classified as the term, “neoclassicism” which describes a style or philosophy that reflects the principles of Classicism from ancient Greece and Rome, however it is reflected in a later time period. Later time periods that have been identified with neoclassical styles and ideas are seen during the Italian Renaissance. Neoclassicism is reflected in ages of Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic styles. Classicism and Neoclassical styles and ideas have been reflected throughout time, idealism is a major proponent to this style. Idealism is presented through ideals in proportions, restraint, order, and balance, which can be seen throughout several concepts of art, architecture, and philosophies. The first part of the collection will examine the origins of idealism and classicism during the ancient Greek and Roman age. The rest of my collection will move throughout time to reflect some of the other significant time periods that reflected ideas of idealism as part of classicism. 

The first part will compare some of the most significant art, architecture, and philosophies that are a part of the two cultures of ancient Rome and Greece. While these two cultures can be often compared to be similar, they do have some differences as well. These cultures differ in the ways they live, create, and believe. Romans took several ideas and concepts from Greek Classicism by innovating and imitating them in new ways. Structures like the Greek Parthenon and Roman Pantheon are easily comparable for their similarities, but these structures are also very different, such as what they were for, who they were for, and where the structures were placed in their cities. Several other significant Greek and Roman structures and ideas compare and contrast from this classical era. Another example of this can be seen between the Greek Theatre at Epidaurus and the Roman Colosseum. The way these two cultures perceived nature is contrasting as well, during the classical era, Greeks perceived themselves to be superior to nature, while the Romans perceived nature as something that served humans well.

Part 2:

Part 2 of my collection takes on a new approach to idealism as part of classicism. This part of my collection jumps forward to the revival of classical antiquity design beginning in Italy during the fourteenth century. This revival of classical attitudes in Europe was portrayed in both philosophy and design. The Renaissance was seen as a cultural evolution in Europe, it started out with writers during the time that wrote about philosophies based around humanism, and man’s idealistic nature, and ideal power. Philosophers began to reject the current attitudes that were seen as recent and new, and instead suggested it was time to embrace attitudes of past great civilizations of ancient Rome and Greece. Through this renewal, historicism began to take place in Europe. Historicism is the rehabilitation and renewal of archaeological creations that are restored in new ways and combined with recent past design features and characteristics. Three sources that draw upon historicist design during this period in Europe are revival, romanticization, and reinterpretation of design from earlier time periods such as Roman and Greek classicism. Renaissance design drew upon classical concepts and art, in a new way to fit the new state of European culture. The renewal of classical ideas such as idealism, originated from the rediscovery of ancient classical texts. Through this an ideal balance between naturalism and humanism was now being used in design and art in Europe at the time. During the time occurring from the fifteenth to sixteenth century, the revival of classicism was seen in idealized naturalism, balanced proportions, and antiquity, drawing upon the original use of idealism as a part of classicism from ancient Greek and Rome. This renewal of idealistic attitudes was also known as the High Renaissance style, which occurred in the late fourteen hundreds to early fifteen hundreds.

Part 3:

The third part of my curated collection involves the works made during the Neoclassical Era. The Neoclassical Era took place, in Europe, from the 18th century to the early 19th century. The Neoclassical style was a direct reflection of the Classical Age of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. During this time several people in Europe, especially rulers, embraced the Classical attitude and style. People in Europe recognized these ancient Classical civilizations, as the most ideal civilizations to ever exist. The Neoclassical style was created in direct reflection of Classicism, while the new style mixed slightly newer trends and concepts of the time with the ancient antiquite style. Neoclassicism, was seen as a rejection of the Rococo style which came before it, for the Rococo style was whimsical, free flowing, interpretive, asymmetrical and utilized curvature within its structure. Neoclassicism was just the opposite, and rebelled against such a fanciful and playful movement. As people were in search for more order, balance, and structure, which were all idealistic traits of the Classical style. Many were infatuated with the classical antiquity that the Classical and now Neoclassical style expressed. Many admired the idea to look back at the great past ancient Roman and Greek civilizations for guidance in philosophy, and style. As people saw these civilizations as ways to seek out the structure and order they so desired for, after the Rococo movement. The Neoclassical era was embracive of the ancient civilizations concepts of idealism. As these ancient civilizations saw idealism within the creations and abilities of mankind. As they believed only mankind could create such flawless geometry, symmetry, and structure, the Neoclassical style embraced all of these ideals. The style highlighted ideal forms of mankind, featuring the strength within chiseled muscles and their ability to fight and dominate. The style expressed men in striking poses, furthering illustrating their authority and power. Rulers, like Napoleon Bonaparte, embraced these powerful attitudes and works of art, as they wanted to authorize their power through art, just as the ancient civilizations did for their heros and gods. Napoleon Bonaparte believed that in order for his power to be prevailing, he must have his image depicted in art. Rulers during the Neoclassical era, such as Napoleon, saw art as an assertive way to establish their rule and authority over all things. This attitude is highly reflective of the philosophies of Neoclassicism, for the style embraced the belief that man's power was superior to all other things. This part of the collection will illustrate these attitudes of idealism and Classicism of the ancient civilizations of Rome and Greece, that were expressed during the Neoclassical Era in Europe, occurring throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries.

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