Classical Blog

Classical Era & Morality in the Arts

Morality was defined differently in the 18th century than to what it is defined now whatever century we are in. However, they are still share the same common definition I will write about. My blog can share a thousand words but the art displayed here tells its own story.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing

About 'The Swing'
This painting is an oil canvas painting done in 1767-1768 by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. This is a just a painting of a pretty girl in her immaculate, princess built dress being pushed on a swing? No, she is a beautiful girl being pushed by the guy in the back while the guy in the front can catch a sneak peek of the girl under her pretty pink dress. Long story short, the guy in the back in control of the swing is her husband, however, the guy catching a peek is also her husband.

Here, I am a little confused by the story and the moral (if you care to read about the story). However, here the girl notices the man while her husband is giving her a joy ride .. even though it is not for himself. Although, she is married she still opens her leg for the other to see. 


Jean-Baptiste Greuze, The Village Bride

Then 'The Village Bride'
This too is an oil canvas painting done in 1761 by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Do you understand what is happening in this painting? No, neither can I. Here is what I have learned. The father of the bride sits arms open towards the groom as he just handed his daughter over, congratulating him. Her mother is leaning on her shoulder sad, yet excited for her newly wed daughter. Meanwhile, her sister on the right does not look to happy. 

Here the morals of feelings are all explained in the picture of their feelings. Although, they all have good intention the sister is still participating in the wedding, the father is still giving his daughters hand away, and the mother is visibly upset but they all celebrate for her regardless of their own personal feelings.

Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to her Children as Her Treasures

Lastly, the Pointing of Fingers
Just like the rest, this too, is an oil canvas painting done in 1785 by Angelica Kauffmann. Does this look like your average family from way back when? Who knows but let me share with you what is happening. Home girl in the red wanted to see how rich the woman was in materialistic items. However, mama bear (again, with child) in the white decides to use her children to show her how rich she is in their fancy shoes, clothing, and how they are going to be the future of their century. 

Here her morals are showing that what the future holds for her kids rather than what she holds for her kids future. Although, while defending herself that she can more than enough provide for her kids, her kids are also able to be future politicians (or so described in the article). She's a baddie.

What Do They All Have in Common?

Let me tell you what they all have in common. They are all oil paintings. Oh, morally? There is someone who is behind the other ready to give judgement but they are inclusive in religion. Marriage in the first two and having children and being with child in the last (again included in the article). What they share is that they are all trying to offer something through another person that shares resentment. Through cheating, money, jealousy these people continue to move forward and see open doors.

Citation

Heydt, Colin. “Moral Philosophy in Eighteenth-Century Britain: God, Self, and Other.” Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 2 Dec. 2018, ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/moral-philosophy-in-eighteenth-century-britain-god-self-and-other/. 

Gert, Joshua, and Bernard Gert. “The Definition of Morality.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 28 Jan. 2025, plato.stanford.edu/ENTRIES/morality-definition/. 

Bruckbauer, Ashley. “Jean-HonorĂ© Fragonard, The Swing.” Smarthistory, The Center for Public Art History, 26 Feb. 2021, smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/. 

Martin, Dana. “Jean-Baptiste Greuze, the Village Bride.” Smarthistory, The Center for Public Art History, 17 Jan. 2016, smarthistory.org/jean-baptiste-greuze-the-village-bride/. 

Martin, Dana. “Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures.” Smarthistory, The Center for Public Art History, 17 Jan. 2016, smarthistory.org/angelica-kauffmann-cornelia-pointing-to-her-children-as-her-treasures/. 

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