Characteristics of the Academic Classicism Painting Style

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Academic Classicism is also called "art pompier", "academism", "academicism", "classical revival", "beaux-arts classicism" and "eclecticism".

1885-1920

Adolphe William Bouguereau once stated "One is born an artist. The artist is a man endowed with a special nature, with a particular feeling for seeing form and color spontaneously, as a whole, in perfect harmony. If one lacks that feeling, one is not an artist and will never become an artist; and it is a waste of time to entertain the possibility. This craft is acquired through study, observation, and practice; it can improve by ceaseless work. But the instinct for art is innate. First, one has to love nature with all one's heart and soul, and be able to study and admire it for hours on end. Everything is in nature. A plant, a leaf, a blade of grass should be the subjects of infinite and fruitful meditations; for the artist, a cloud floating in the sky has form, and the form affords him joy, helps him think."

Characteristics of the Academic Classicism Painting Style

Academic Classicism is the painting style established by European art academies and universities. In general It is also called "academic art". In this context as new styles are embraced by academics, the new styles come to be considered academic, thus what was at one time a rebellion against academic art becomes academic art. The academic art world also worshiped Raphael, for the splendor of his work. This style is often termed "art pompier", "academism", "academicism", "classical revival", "beaux-arts classicism" and "eclecticism".

The followers of Classicism appreciated and imitated Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture. Classicism is a late form of Neoclassicism, with a distinctly original elegance. Often linked with "historicism" and "syncretism".

Academic Classicism Painting Examples

Example of a Academic Classicism painting (detail image) by Adolphe William Bouguereau

Example of a Academic Classicism painting (detail image) by Paul Delaroche

Example of a Academic Classicism painting by Adolphe William Bouguereau

Important Painters of Academic Classicism Movement

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky, 1817-1900

Adolphe-William Bouguereau1825-1905

Charles Emile August Carolus-Duran, 1837-1917

Leon Francois Comerre, 1850-1916

Pierre-Auguste Cot 1837-1883

Thomas Couture, 1815-1879

Paul Delaroche 1797-1856

Eugene Fromentin, 1820-1876

Jean Leon Gerome, 1824-1904

Jean-Paul Laurens1838-1921

Adolphe Alexandre Lesrel, 1839-1929

Luc Olivier Merson, 1846-1920

Hans Makart, 1840 - 1884

Giulio Rosati, 1858-1917

Franz Xavier Winterhalter, 1805-1873

William Clarke Wontner, 1857-1930

Fritz Zuber-Buhler, 1822-1896

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