Neoclassical (roughly late 17th to early 19th centuries):
* Emphasis on Reason and Order: Neoclassicism prioritized reason, logic, and order. It looked to classical Greek and Roman art and literature as models of perfection, emphasizing clarity, balance, and symmetry.
* Formal Structure and Restraint: Works were characterized by strict adherence to rules and conventions. Emotion was expressed with restraint and control, often through idealized forms and narratives.
* Focus on Morality and Civic Duty: Neoclassical art often served a moral or didactic purpose, emphasizing virtue, patriotism, and public service. Stories frequently depicted heroic figures and historical events that exemplified these ideals.
* Objectivity and Universality: The artist aimed for objectivity, creating works that were meant to transcend individual experience and appeal to universal human values.
* Clarity and Precision: Neoclassical style favored clear lines, precise detail, and balanced compositions.
Romantic (roughly late 18th to mid-19th centuries):
* Emphasis on Emotion and Intuition: Romanticism celebrated emotion, intuition, imagination, and individual experience above all else. It reacted against the perceived coldness and rationality of Neoclassicism.
* Subjectivity and Individuality: Romantic artists and writers explored the unique perspectives and inner lives of individuals. Their work often reflected personal feelings and experiences.
* Focus on Nature and the Sublime: Nature played a crucial role, often depicted as powerful, awe-inspiring, and even terrifying (the "sublime"). Nature was seen as a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal.
* Emphasis on the Supernatural and the Exotic: The supernatural, the mysterious, and the exotic were frequent themes, reflecting a fascination with the unknown and the irrational.
* Freedom and Spontaneity: Romantic works often exhibited a greater sense of freedom and spontaneity in style and composition, reflecting the artist's unrestrained emotional expression.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Neoclassical | Romantic |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Emphasis | Reason, order, logic, clarity | Emotion, intuition, imagination, subjectivity |
| Style | Formal, restrained, balanced, symmetrical | Spontaneous, expressive, dynamic, asymmetrical |
| Subject Matter | Morality, civic duty, classical themes | Nature, the sublime, individual experience, supernatural |
| Values | Objectivity, universality, restraint | Subjectivity, individuality, freedom |
| View of Nature | Orderly, tamed | Powerful, awe-inspiring, sublime |
It's important to note that these are broad generalizations, and there's significant overlap and variation within each movement. Many artists and writers incorporated elements of both Neoclassicism and Romanticism in their work. Furthermore, the transition between the two wasn't abrupt but rather a gradual shift in aesthetic sensibilities.