Neoclassicism
A term that denotes the revival of classical motifs, themes and decorative elements in the late 18th century and early 19th century. The excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum (started in 1748), and the texts of the German archaeologist Winckelmann, are the origin of this tendency. Leading representatives of Neoclassicism were the sculptors Canova and Thorvaldsen in Rome, the painter Jacques-Louis David in France (where this new movement was connected with the ideas of the Revolution), and the sculptor Flaxman, the ceramics of Wedgwood and Adam’s interns decorations in England. When it comes to architecture, Neoclassicism appeared for the first time in 17th century in Italy, in order to spread during the 18th century throughout most of Europe (France, Germany, England, Russia, etc.) with the main features of the use of columns and capitals, pediments, friezes and classic decorative motifs.