Neoclassicism

Contours and placement are clear, and form and space appear calm and balanced.

Visual traits

• Clear contour
• Balanced placement
• Ordered volume

Expected changes

• Figure and object contours are more likely to be legible
• Placement is more likely to appear stable

Definition

A historical art style that organizes contours, placement, and volume of figures or objects into clear balanced relationships. It does not recreate a particular ancient culture, artist, work, or narrative.

In more detail

It favors calm placement and legible form while retaining order in the frame. Subject, period setting, architecture, clothing, and narrative remain separate choices.

Includes

• Clear contours
• Balanced composition
• Ordered volume

Excludes

• Recreation of a particular ancient culture or artifact
• Imitation of a particular artist or work
• A particular mythological or religious narrative

What this does not imply

• A particular ancient culture
• artist
• or work
• A particular mythological or religious subject
• Particular architecture or clothing

Variability

Because this is based on general art-term indexes, details of historical context need separate verification.

Usage

• Use clear contours and balanced placement
• Specify cultural context and subject separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify a particular ancient culture separately with verified evidence

Typical uses

• Depict figures or still life with clear contours and balanced placement

Possible failure modes

• Arrangement becomes mechanical and rigid
• The result becomes imitation of a particular historical work