Sentimentalism - the course of art in Western Europe, originating in the second half of the XVIII century. The name comes from the Latin sentiment - "feeling". Sentimentalism in painting differed from other areas in that it proclaimed the life of a "small" man in the village as the main object, reflecting also the result of his thoughts in solitude. Civilized urban society, built on the triumph of reason, thus, faded into the background.
The trend of sentimentalism has embraced such art genres as literature and painting.
The history of sentimentalism
The named trend in art arose in the second half of the 18th century in England. James Thomson (England) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (France) are considered to be his main ideologists in literature. The development of the direction was reflected in the appearance of sentimentalism in painting.
Sentimental artists in their paintings showed the imperfection of modern urban civilization, based only on a cold mind and not attaching much importance to the sensory perception of the world. In the heyday of this trend, it was believed that the truth can be achieved not in the process of logical reflection, but with the help of the emotional perception of the world.
The emergence of sentimentalism was also a contrast to the ideas of the Enlightenment and Classicism. The thoughts of the enlighteners of the previous period were completely redesigned and rethought.
Sentimentalism as a style in art lasted until the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries, becoming widespread in Western Europe. At the dawn of its heyday, the direction appeared in Russia and embodied in the works of Russian artists. At the beginning of the next century, romanticism became the successor of sentimentalism.
Features of Sentimentalism
With the advent of sentimentalism in painting of the 18th century, new subjects for paintings began to appear. Artists began to prefer the simplicity of compositions on the canvas, trying to convey not only high skill, but also lively emotions with their work. Canvases with landscapes showed the tranquility, serenity of nature, and portraits reflected the naturalness of the depicted people. At the same time, pictures of the era of sentimentalism very often convey excessive moralizing, heightened and feigned sensitivity of their heroes.
Painting of sentimentalists
The painting, created by artists in the described direction, reflects reality, repeatedly strengthened through the prism of emotions and feelings: it is the emotional component in the paintings that is paramount. Representatives of this trend believed that the main task of art was to arouse strong emotions in the observer, to make him empathize and sympathize with the main character of the picture. In this way, according to sentimentalists, the perception of reality takes place: with the help of emotions, not thoughts and reason.
On the one hand, this approach has advantages, but it is also not without drawbacks. The paintings of some artists cause the observer to reject his excessive emotionality, sweetness and desire to force a feeling of pity.
Heroes of portraits in the style of sentimentalism
Despite possible shortcomings, the features of the era of sentimentalism in painting make it possible to see the inner life of a simple person, his conflicting emotions and constant experiences. That is why in the period of the XVIII century, portraits became the most popular type of genre for paintings. Heroes on them were depicted without any additional interior elements and objects.
The most famous representatives of this genre were such artists as P. Babin and A. Mordvinov. The characters they portray have a well-read viewer with a pacified state of mind, although without undue psychologism.
Another representative of sentimentalism I. Argunov, painted with a different vision. People on his canvases are more realistic and far from idealization. The main object of attention is the faces, while the rest of the body, such as the hands, may not be drawn at all.
At the same time, Argunov always highlighted the leading color in his portraits as a separate spot for greater expressiveness. One of the prominent representatives of the trend was also V. Borovikovsky, who painted his paintings in accordance with the typology of English portrait painters.
Very often, sentimentalists chose children as heroes of the paintings. They were portrayed as mythological characters with the goal of conveying sincere immediacy and character traits characteristic of children.
Sentimental artists
One of the main representatives of sentimentalism in painting was the French artist Jean-Baptiste Dreams. His works are characterized by simulated emotionality of the characters, as well as excessive moralizing. The artist’s favorite plot was a portrait of a girl suffering from dead birds. In order to emphasize the instructive role of the plot, daydream accompanied his paintings with explanatory comments.
Other representatives of sentimentalism in painting are S. Delon, T. Jones, R. Wilson. In their works, the main features of this direction of art are also observed.
French artist Jean-Baptiste Chardin also performed some of his work in the named style, while complementing the existing typology with his own innovations. Thus, he introduced elements of social motives into the work of the direction.
His work “Prayer before Dinner”, in addition to the lines of sentimentalism, has features of the rococo style and carries an instructive subtext. It shows the importance of female education for the formation of elevated emotions in children. With the help of the picture, the artist aims to evoke different feelings in the observer, which is characteristic of the sentimental style of painting.
But, in addition, the canvas is replete with a large number of small details, bright and numerous colors, and there is also a complex composition. All of the images are distinguished by special grace: the interior of the room, the poses of the characters, clothes. All of the above are important elements of the Rococo style.
Sentimentalism in Russian painting
This style came to Russia belatedly along with the popularity of antique cameos, which came into fashion thanks to the Empress Josephine. In 19th-century painting in Russia, artists combined sentimentalism in another popular trend - neoclassicism, thus forming a new style - Russian classicism in the form of romanticism. Representatives of this direction were V. Borovikovsky, I. Argunov and A. Venetsianov.
Sentimentalism argued the need to consider the inner world of man, the value of each person. This became achievable due to the fact that artists began to show a person in an intimate setting, when he was left alone with their feelings and emotions.
Russian sentimentalists in their paintings placed the central figure of the hero in a landscape painting. Thus, the person remained in the company with nature alone, where the opportunity appeared to show the most natural emotional state.
Famous Russian sentimentalists
In Russian painting, sentimentalism was almost not manifested in its pure form, usually connecting with other popular trends.
One of the most famous works, one way or another executed in the style of sentimentalism, is a painting by V. Borovitsky “Portrait of Maria Lopukhina”. It depicts a young woman in a dress, leaning on a railing. In the background you can see the landscape with birches and cornflowers. The heroine's face expresses thoughtfulness, confidence in the environment and at the same time in the viewer. This work is rightfully considered the most outstanding object of Russian painting art. In style, there are clear signs of sentimentalism.
Another famous representative of sentimentalism in Russian painting can be called A. Venetsianov with his paintings on pastoral themes: “Reapers”, “Sleeping Shepherd”, etc. They depict peaceful peasants who found harmony in unity with Russian nature.
A trace of sentimentalism in history
Sentimentalism in painting was not distinguished by a single style and integrity, but gave rise to some features by which one can easily recognize works of this direction. These include the smoothness of transitions, the refinement of lines, the airiness of the plots, the palette of colors with a predominance of pastel shades.
Sentimentalism laid the foundation for fashion with medallions with portraits, ivory, fine painting. As already mentioned, in the 19th century, thanks to Empress Josephine, ancient cameos became widespread.
The end of the era of sentimentalism
In the 18th century, the trend in painting sentimentalism laid the foundation for the spread of such a style as romanticism. It became a logical continuation of the previous direction, but also had the opposite features. Romanticism is distinguished by high religiosity and exalted spirituality, while sentimentalism promoted the self-sufficiency of the inner experiences and wealth of the inner world of one person.
Thus, the era of sentimentalism in painting and in other forms of art ended with the advent of a new style.