Neoclassicism: How Ancient Greece and Rome Shaped Modern Art and Politics

Travel back to the 18th century and discover how ancient Greece and Rome inspired a powerful artistic revival known as Neoclassicism. This video explores how archaeological discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum sparked new interest in classical art, architecture, and political ideals.

Learn how architect Andrea Palladio influenced buildings across Europe and America, including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the University of Virginia Rotunda, and the U.S. Capitol. We also examine Neoclassical sculpture and painting, featuring artists like Jean-Antoine Houdon and Jacques-Louis David, whose works emphasized civic virtue, morality, and revolutionary ideas.

Discover how art reflected major historical changes and helped shape the modern world—leading from Enlightenment thinking to the dramatic events of the French Revolution and the rise of Romanticism.