Studies naar twee antieke koppen 1822

This drawing of two antique heads was made by Antonis Aloisius Emanuel van Bedaff. Although it’s undated, it was probably made in the first decades of the 19th century. The neoclassical style, which defined European art at the time, looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for its inspiration. In the wake of archaeological discoveries, classical forms became a universal standard of beauty, and artists meticulously studied and copied ancient sculptures. But this was also an educational project. Art academies believed that by drawing from classical models, students could learn the rules of proportion and composition that would elevate their work. However, we should also recognize the political dimension: by embracing Greco-Roman imagery, European society sought to legitimize its own claims to power and to emphasize its cultural superiority. Art historians can look to the archives of European art academies to learn more about what was taught during that period. It’s by understanding the institutions that shape artistic creation that we can fully appreciate the historical meaning of art.