Who Is The Father Of The Enlightenment?

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The post reformation era ignited the sense of reason with the idea of political freedom. This spark led to a new era in our western culture known as the Enlightenment. It started in England when a bloodless revolution occurred in 1688. This revolution established new beliefs that eventually shaped France and the world as we know it today. After the revolution in England, a French philosopher named Voltaire began to spread the news within his country. The peasants of France started a revolution, but based their new system on humanistic beliefs. Because of these events, Voltaire is commonly known as the Father of the Enlightenment. His belief system was based on; reason, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty. In essence, the French faith …show more content…

These came to be known as the “-isms”. During this period, two major movements rose to fame due to their opposing worldviews. These movements, known as Neoclassicism and Romanticism, were total opposites due to their ways of interpreting the meaning of …show more content…

Heroism, civic virtue, logic, reason, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome were the influences of this new art style. Patriotism and principle replaced pleasure, and value towards order and solemnity took over the mindset of painters. This period of Greek and Roman fever brought back the mythology and study of ancient civilizations. The manner arose when Jacques-Louis David, a French artist, decided to revisit the art of ancient times. He utilized stressed drawing with lines to paint beautiful pieces with no traces of brushstrokes or color. His art was designed to morally uplift post-revolution France, and to inspire all nations. His style did inspire the New-World, as it was the first major art movement in America. Neoclassicism influenced the government and society of America. Ancient Rome was a political model for the developing country. “The Peale family,” by Charles Willson Peale is a famous portrait that resembles the Neoclassical style. This portrait emphasizes the unity of Peale’s family by linking each family member with hand or shoulder contact. It was the representation of “e pluribus unum” and the harmony of

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