3.8: Conclusion

The 18^th century brought a period of change throughout most of the world. The buildup of navies and military weapons of war propelled the expansion of European countries into other continents, destroying the cultures of many civilizations and decimating the indigenous populations with diseases and guns. In some regions, the natural materials were exploited and exported back to Europe, while others were heavily colonized by Europeans, changing the balance of power. Worldwide trade routes moved goods and people around the world, including the massive and brutal slave trafficking. The century also was punctuated with revolutions against tyrannical rulers by the local people or revolts against long-distance controls.

As trade grew across the continents, the need for art also expanded as the wealthy merchant class had money and interest in art. No longer the purview of the ruling or religious leaders, art began to be defined by what the commonplace person appreciated. Religious or mythological themes did not bind artists. Instead, the artwork started to represent the activities of ordinary people. Museums were formed, moving art from the control of the aristocracy to the broader population. The ideals and definitions of art also changed as mobility throughout the world infused new concepts into local standards and set the stage for expanding unique art movements around the globe.  

During the 18^th century, paintings followed a specific movement or style and related a story of feeling. Sometimes the information was romantic, other times powerful. Rococo was softer in using paint to establish the sentiment, while Neoclassicism flattened the paint to render explicit details. In both Mexican Baroque and Romanticism, emotional feelings were important. In Mexico, the religious paintings centered around the sacrificial settings of Christ, Mary, or the disciples. In France, the quest for liberty brought forth the partisans who fought for freedom. Both styles of paintings involved death and sadness, deaths that liberated the people. Figures and their positions in any painting bring meaning and action to work. Sometimes the positions are static, and others present some sort of movement. Each of the paintings uses different techniques to show motion. Furniture has always been important, whether the stone bench from the Stone Age or the stuffed lounge chair of today. Generally, furniture is ordinary, made from simpler materials for the average population. However, the ruling or wealthy class wanted something unique, more ornate or decorative, the concept of decoration based on local styles. Sculpture has always been an important part of any culture or movement, telling a story about the mores, beliefs, and people throughout time. Both statues are detailed and ornate, relating information about the culture of a king or illustrating an ancient tale.