Neo-classicism Oil Paintings 1750-1880

Neoclassical oil paintings from 1750 to 1880 were defined by their clarity, order, and homage to the ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. In reaction to the extravagance of the Baroque and Rococo periods, artists like Jacques-Louis David and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres emphasized disciplined composition, heroic subjects, and moral virtue.

These paintings often depicted scenes from classical mythology, history, and literature, rendered with smooth brushwork, balanced proportions, and a restrained color palette. Rooted in Enlightenment thought, Neoclassicism sought to inspire civic duty, rational thought, and timeless beauty, becoming a visual language for revolution, empire, and cultural refinement.