geopolitics

The French revolution had quite a few causes but two main ones were an incompetent king and economic struggle. King louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were hated by the public for living a posh life as they fell into poverty and the lack of help they received. Philosophers like Voltaire and Montesquieu wrote of reform and taking power away from the monarchy, and giving rights to the working class but it was clear the only way to put these ideas into action was a revolution. So a revolution they had!

Art

Although the French revolution would push France into a new era, it would send the artists of the time looking back at the style of the past. At this time, as a sort of reaction against the grandeur and pastel colours of the Rococo period, artists looked to the Neoclassical movement as the next big thing. As Pompeii had been re-discovered, Ancient Greek and roman art and architecture was back on the rise and being used for inspiration. Art from this period is characterized by its use of subject matter from ancient Greece, duller colours, no noticeable brush strokes, and the return of “ideal beauty”.

A notable painter from this period is Jaques-Louis David, Known for such pieces as Death of Socrates and The Death of Marat.

Rococo architecture is an offshoot of Baroque that emerged in the 18^th century. This style is categorized by its ornate decorations and asymmetrical stylings. Much like Rococo art, bright pastel colours and a more playful approach were synonymous with the architectural style. This style was a response to the much harsher, far less decorative Baroque architecture and intended to bring a bit more cheerful feel back into buildings. Buildings from this era often had an abundance of curves, arches, and floral reliefs and gold accents that gave rooms and buildings a sense of wonder and draw the eyes in.