Emphasis on Reason and Rationality:
* Art: This led to a shift from religious and mythological themes to a focus on the human experience, nature, and everyday life. Artists like David and Goya used their work to depict the human condition with realism and clarity.
* Literature: Writers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu used satire, reason, and logic to critique society and promote social reform. Novels became a popular form, with authors like Fielding and Richardson exploring complex characters and their interaction with the world.
Individualism and Human Rights:
* Art: Portraiture flourished, reflecting a growing interest in the individual and their emotions.
* Literature: Characters in novels and plays were increasingly complex and nuanced, showcasing their personal struggles and aspirations.
Importance of Observation and Experience:
* Art: Realism became a dominant style, with artists seeking to accurately represent the world around them. This led to the rise of landscape painting, still lifes, and everyday scenes.
* Literature: Writers used detailed descriptions and engaging narratives to transport readers into different worlds and perspectives.
New Genres and Forms:
* Art: New genres like landscape painting and still life gained popularity, while the use of perspective and light created a new sense of depth and realism.
* Literature: The novel emerged as a dominant form, allowing for in-depth exploration of characters, plot, and themes.
Some specific examples of the Enlightenment's influence on art and literature:
* Neoclassical Art: A style that emphasized balance, harmony, and classical themes, exemplified by works like Jacques-Louis David's "Oath of the Horatii."
* Enlightenment Literature: Works like Voltaire's "Candide" and Rousseau's "Emile" challenged societal norms and championed reason and individual liberty.
* Romanticism: A subsequent movement that emerged in part as a reaction to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, it placed greater value on emotion, imagination, and individualism.
Overall, the Enlightenment marked a significant turning point in the history of arts and literature. It fostered a new appreciation for reason, individual experience, and the beauty of the natural world, paving the way for the development of new artistic styles, literary forms, and philosophical ideas.