Neoclassicism
Gaining popularity towards the middle of the 18th century and running through the beginning of the 19th, Neoclassicist artists sought to revive and represent the culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Artists of different national origins and inclinations pursued this motif for a range of reasons, some simply appreciating the beauty of the time and others feeling that the time period embodied a dignity that was lost in modern times. Excavations of a semi-scientific nature further drove the fascination with this time period, and everything from large-scale paintings to serving plates became a popular decorative item.
