Research Paper Sample: The Industrial Revolution’s Impact on Western European Art Development

The Industrial Revolution was important in implementing a machine-produced economy but was also a leading factor in the development of art. Machines and factories were introduced and changed the world from agricultural-based to machine-based. As life changed such as the large movements to cities, people gained new thoughts and techniques to use in the artistic world. Many art movements occurred as Western Europeans’ knowledge progressed, and new methods of expressing oneself were cultivated. These innovations are still used today in modern art creations. The Industrial Revolution impacted Western Europeans’ sense of identity caused dynamic artistic movements that are still seen today. 

The Industrial Revolution introduced the goal of manufacturing products within factories for consumers, which started the change of art development. As production increased, more people moved to cities to work in newly developed factories. The change from an agrarian society allowed people to focus upon more intellectual pursuits which then greatly contributed to the progression of the arts. The Evolution of Art and Culture as It Relates to Workforce Dynamics by Galligan states, “art moved from referring to any human skill to one that became to signify a particular group of skills relating to the ‘imaginative’ or ‘creative arts.’” As those coined with the term “artist” became more relevant, a distinction was made to distinguish the mechanical man and the gentleman. “Progress and the arts” describes the mechanical men as those well-versed with creating machines and engineering architecture and gentlemen as those more involved in philosophy (Wilton). Aside from the mental aspects that contributed to the shifting development of artists, the Industrial Revolution aided in providing physical aspects. The introduction of machines incorporated art such as pottery manufacturing and art supplies. An increased supply of art products produced contributed to the rise of painters, potters, and more. Due to the Industrial Revolution, the shift in Western European landscape and manufacturing allowed Western European artists’ creative thoughts and amount of supplies to thrive.

During the Industrial Revolution, many movements occurred that introduced new ideas and approaches to art. One of the earliest movements was neoclassicism. Originating from Rome, this movement was fueled by the progression of knowledge gained during the Age of Enlightenment of the early sixteenth century and quickly spread throughout Western Europe. As philosophers developed an understanding of nature’s likeness and respect for that perfection, neoclassical artists represented this ideology in artworks. The Encyclopedia of the Romantic Era, 1760-1850 by Routledge quotes neoclassical artist Jean-Baptistc Du Bos of art is made “just as the painter imitates the forms and colours of nature so the musician imitates the tones of the voice—its accents, sighs and inflections.” This movement was led by the thinkers and ideas of the Enlightenment, but the Sturm und Drang movement that soon followed was stark in contrast. Artists of the Sturm und Drang movement disagreed with the Enlightenment’s insistence upon representing the beauty of the past, and expressed artwork as a representation of humanity (Routledge). Beginning in Germany with the influence of artists Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Georg Haman, the desire in depicting the human spirit spread. France and Britain were key elements in the immense shift from neoclassical standards influenced by the Enlightenment. The Sturm und Dung movement cultivated the birth of Romanticism with Germany being the birthplace. Romanticism rejected the ideas of expressing new discoveries and logical reasoning. Instead, the art pieces made in the Romantic Revolution focused upon the artist’s personal individuality. So quotes Rousseau in “What Is Romanticism?” by stating, “I desire to set before my fellow the likeness of a man in all the truth of nature, and that man is myself. Myself alone! I know the feelings of my heart, and I know men.” Rousseau is a famous artist who was greatly involved in the Romantic art movement and greatly expressed his separation from the expression of the collectivity of the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism era. As the world became more modern, artists put forth more efforts to represent their creative spirits even by creating entirely new standards. 

The changes that fine art experienced as a result of the Industrial Revolution’s influence are still present today. Elements of the Neoclassical and Romantic movements are present in art today. Multiple techniques were explored and invented such as mentioned in “Progress and the arts” that artist “Gainsborough experimented with glass transparencies” and artist “Blake developed his ‘fresco’ method” (Wilton). The discoveries made during this time are used today, not only by traditional design but to also create new techniques that branch off the Industrial artists’. Another lasting effect is the schools and social groups made during this time. An example of this is the Royal Academy of Arts. Founded in London, 1768, by King George III, artists were given an environment to learn and improve their expressive skills (“Progress and the arts”, (Wilton). This school is still active today and hosts exhibits for artwork from the past to be observed as well as new artwork to be showcased. The invention of new creative methods now serves as a foundation for artistic endeavors, and the creation of an art school is still relevant in society.