Running head: MOVEMENTS 1
Movements
ART101: Art Appreciation
Three questions art historians asked that will be answered about Cornelia Pointing to her
Children as Her Treasures are what is the style?, what is the subject?, and who made it? The
style of this painting is neoclassicism. Neoclassicism style was present in the 18th century in
Europe and America (Kleiner, 2017). The neoclassicism movement was not about the reflection
MOVEMENTS 2
of “religion, myth, or tradition” (Kleiner, 2017, Ch. 21). The neoclassicism was meant to
critically start thinking about the world and men and women independently (Kleiner, 2017). The
subject of this painting is of a woman visitor showing her fine jewelry to Cornelia and instead of
Cornelia showing the woman visitor a piece of jewelry as her prized possession she presents the
woman with her children. This piece’s subject points more toward character, showing the
character of Cornelia, the Mother of the Gracchi more than anything else. This painting was
made by Angelica Kauffmann who was considered a pioneer of neoclassical art movement
(Kleiner, 2017). She was born in Switzerland in 1741 then later did her training in Italy before
settling in England where she created most of her work (Kleiner, 2017).
Four words art historians used that can be used to explain Cornelia Pointing to her
