what is neoclassicism?

Question

can you anyone give me a detailed summary of what neoclassicism means? its history? who influenced it?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassicism

Answer 2

Neoclassicism
combines the following tenets:

1. a regard for tradition and reverence for the classics, with an accompanying distrust of innovation

2. a sense of literature as art--that is, as something "artificed" or "artificial," made by craft; hence the value put on "rules," conventions, "decorum," the properties of received genres.

3. a concern for social reality, and the communal commonplaces of thought which hold it together.

4. a concern for "nature"--or the way things are (and should be). This relates back to the distrust of innovation and inherent conservatism of neoclassicism. The artistic rules of old, for instance, Pope describes as having been "discovered, not devised" and are "Nature methodized"; so too, "Nature and Homer" are "the same" (Essay on Criticism 88ff., 135). This belief in "nature" implies a conviction that there is a permanent, universal way things are (and should be), which obviously entails fundamental political and ethical commitments.

5. a concern with "pride" as the root of threats to the above. We might see pride as in part standing for individual self assertion against the status quo ("nature"). Pope:

Of all the causes which conspire to blind
Man's erring judgment, and misguide the mind,
What the weak head with strongest bias rules,
Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.

Neoclassical Architecture c. 1780-1850

There are four main variations or phases of Neoclassicism; these are best described by William Pierson, Jr., in American Buildings and their Architects, vol. I: Colonial and Neoclassic Architecture:

Federalist:
Especially common in New England; a traditionalist approach to classicism, heavily influenced by English models. Charles Bulfinch, Samuel MacIntyre.
Federalist Style

Idealist:
An intellectual and moral approach to classicism, at first linked to Roman models. Symbolic and associational values stressed, with a goal of creating an expressive, "speaking architecture." Best example: Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson's Idealist Style

Rationalist:
Emphasized structure and classical building techniques, such as stone vaulting and domes. Best example: Benjamin Latrobe.

Greek Revival (1818-1850)
The first truly national style in the United States. Strong associational values. Permeated all levels of building.
The Greek Revival Style

Neoclassicism in music was a 20th century development, particularly popular in the period between the two World Wars, in which composers drew inspiration from music of the 18th century, though some of the inspiring canon was drawn as much from the Baroque period as the Classical period – for this reason, music which draws influence specifically from the Baroque is sometimes termed neo-baroque.

Answer 3

A style reflecting the traditional Greek style. It had symmetry, and used elements from both Greek and Roman architecture. It also influenced the Georgian style.

Answer 4

Per Google;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassicism

Too much to copy and paste!