The Representation of Growing Economic Power within the Classical Era

    In the eighteenth century, artists sought to elevate their social standing and professionalize their craft. Aspiring artists were traditionally seen as craftsmen with low social standing who pursued comprehensive education, classical history, and literature to gain the respect of potential patrons. Many of them came from middle-class backgrounds, being sons of tradesmen or professionals. Most artists trained through apprenticeships, paying established artists to learn techniques like preparing paints and canvases. Portraiture was the most profitable genre, where artists catered to clients who wanted personal likenesses, but some other popular genres were conversation pieces, animal portraits, landscapes and more. Artists would form clubs and societies to improve their status and showcase their work better. Many artists were part of the society of artists, but the dissatisfaction with the society’s structure led to the founding of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768, with Sir Joshua Reynolds as its first president. The formation of artistic societies, especially the Royal Academy of Arts, played a crucial role in elevating their status and ensuring long-term career success.

    During the Classical era (mostly referring to the 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly the neoclassical movement), many artists' paintings reflected the rising economic power of the middle class. While Neoclassicism focused on historic and moral themes, many artists depicted middle-class subjects, daily life, and economic success in ways that subtly highlighted the shift.

"The Parasol" By: Francisco Goya
(Madrid, Spain, 1777)

    This painting by Francisco Goya is an oil painting made on a linen cloth that was created for a royal tapestry in Spain. It shows a young woman wearing a type of french fashion, sitting with a small dog on her lap and being shaded by a man holding a parasol (a type of umbrella). The emotion is very relaxed, I feel like I can hear the wind in this painting. A couple things from this painting represent the economic growth of the middle-class during this time, the first I would say being, the fact that the woman is in beautiful french attire and the second being the man is fanning her while she relaxes. This symbolizes the rise in engagement in leisurely activities, which was a result of their growing economic power. The woman's clothes also indicate the middle class's access to international fashion, which shows the middle class's expanding influence in the arts. I would probably not own a copy of this work because it is not really my speed in terms of wall art, but I do enjoy all of the bright colors that Francisco used to create this piece.

"The Blue Boy" By: Thomas Gainsborough
(London, 1770)

    What initially drew me to this piece is the boy's beautiful blue outfit, of course. I immediately thought he was a symbol of wealth before I read the backstory. Apparently, this portrait is renowned and exemplifies the rococo art movement. In the painting, we see a young boy and while we don't know who he is, it is widely believed that he is Jonathan Buttall, the son of a wealthy hardware merchant. during this time, as merchants and professionals gained wealth and money, they would get a portrait that emulated the grandeur that was usually reserved for the aristocracy. Gainsborough's own career in a way, represents the societal shift within the middle class as well. He would commission pieces of art for more and more affluent individuals including merchants and nobility, and people would go to him for a portrait when they were eager to show off their new found status and wealth. This painting not only shows Gainsborough's artistic abilities but also shows a bit of the evolving social dynamics during this time. I probably would not have a copy of this painting in my house because of the art style and because it is a portrait of someone I am not familiar with, but it does still intrigue me because of his striking blue outfit.

"The Breakfast" By; François Boucher
(Paris, France, 1739)

    This Rococo-style oil painting by François Boucher portrays an intimate familial scene of a family enjoying breakfast together. The background is darker and the women are more vibrant so that our center of focus is on them within the painting. You'll see a mother and her children, as well as two ladies who are helping the woman care for her children. the setting's decor as well as their clothing indicate the family's wealth and hand in global trade, which are obviously characteristics of the middle-class being able to acquire luxurious things. The emotions that this gives me is joy as well as contentment because it is such a simple piece, yet the love and attention that the children are experiencing with their mini village of strong women is admirable in a way. I probably would not own this just because I feel like it wouldn't match my space's aesthetic, but I would definitely view this painting in an art show or museum. 

Sources

“Becoming an Artist in the Eighteenth Century.” Museum Wales. 8 Oct. 2010. Web. 16 Mar. 2025. 

“A Brief History of the RA.” Royal Academy of Arts. n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2025. 

Co, Art History. “Francisco Goya: The Parasol.” Art History Co. 25 May 2023. Web. 18 Mar. 2025. 

“François Boucher Biography in Details.” François Boucher. n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2025. 

Plessis, Alicia Du. “Thomas Gainsborough ‘Blue Boy’ Painting - an in-Depth Analysis.” Art in Context. 25 July 2023. Web. 18 Mar. 2025. 

“Sir Joshua Reynolds: Artist: Royal Academy of Arts.” Sir Joshua Reynolds | Artist | Royal Academy of Arts. n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2025.