Elliott Rodriguez Mr.

Chrismer AP World-1 4 February 2013 Art DBQ There were many different styles of art during the modern era. These range from Romanticism to realism and all uniquely portray the atmosphere in Europe during this era. The art of the modern era reflect the political, military, social, and economic atmosphere in Europe through its reflection of past times, by its portrayal of events, and through unique symbolism. First, the art of the modern era reflect the atmosphere in Europe through its reflection of past eras. This is most clearly seen in the Death of Socrates, by Jacque Louis David. It is an example of Neo-Classicalism and portrays Socrates about to die. Its depiction of Socrates; a great philosopher of the Classical Era reflects the new philosophical movement of the Enlightenment which based many of its beliefs off of those of Socrates. The Night Watch by Rembrandt is another example of this. It is a Baroque painting that depicts the Dutch Golden age of the 17th century and its economic success. Its portrayal of many different soldiers also reflects that the military of the Dutch during its golden age was very successful. Second, the art of the modern era reflects the European atmosphere through its portrayal of events. This is shown by the Raft of the Medusa by Theodore Gericault. Because it was a Romantic it has a deep political meaning to go against the French government. It depicts aftermath of the wreck of the French naval ship the Medusa, which ran aground off the coast.

Many died and those who survived endured starvation and dehydration and practiced cannibalism. The event became an international political message against the French monarchy as reflects the political and social tension leading up to the French revolution. Another example of a painting that depicted real events was The Gleaners by Jean-Francois Millet. This picture portrays the farmers gleaning wheat with the wealth owners in the background watching them. This picture demonstrates social tensions over the large gap between the rich and the poor, and that many underwent economic hardships for the benefit of a few wealthy landowners. It was these tensions that in part led to the world chaos by 1914. Finally, the atmosphere in Europe during the modern era is reflected through the symbolism in the art. Claude Monets Impression Sunrise which depicts the sunrise along the ocean in France is not only important because it began the impressionist movement, but it also contains deep symbolism. The bleak beauty of the sunrise symbolizes the feelings that one associates with their understanding of sunrise. This idea of everyones own perspective also reflects the new social attitudes of the late 19th century that everyone should have a say in the government. There are also many cranes and factories in the background which produce smog which combine with the sun to create a unique sunrise. This reflects the new robust growing European economy during industrialization. A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat also contains symbolism which reveals the atmosphere in Europe of that time. Depicting an island on the outskirts of Paris, the painting contains many different people relaxing on the island. The island was used at that time as being a place to procure prostitutes among the bourgeoisie, and the man with fishing rod alludes to this social aspect of European life. Also this painting only shows half of the island and is all in shadows representing sin. The other half, shown in the painting Bathers at Asnieres, shows a man who

appears to be calling the people on the opposite site over to his side. This represents the future and the new technological advancements which caused social tensions in the migration to the factories in the cities. In conclusion, there were many different styles of art during the modern era. These range from Romanticism to realism and all uniquely portray the atmosphere in Europe during this era. The art of the modern era reflect the political, military, social, and economic atmosphere in Europe through its reflection of past times, by its portrayal of events, and through unique symbolism.