Neoclassicism refers to movements in the arts that draw inspiration from the “classical” art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome

Identify attributes of Neoclassicism and some of its key figures

The height of Neoclassicism coincided with the 18th century Enlightenment era, and continued into the early 19th century.

With the increasing popularity of the Grand Tour, it became fashionable to collect antiquities as souvenirs, which spread the Neoclassical style through Europe and America.

Neoclassicism spanned all of the arts including painting, sculpture, the decorative arts, theatre, literature, music, and architecture.

Generally speaking, Neoclassicism is defined stylistically by its use of straight lines, minimal use of color, simplicity of form and, of course, an adherence to classical values and techniques.

Rococo, with its emphasis on asymmetry, bright colors, and ornamentation is typically considered to be the direct opposite of the Neoclassical style.