classicism

Term used in art, music, and literature, to characterize work that emphasizes the qualities traditionally associated with ancient Greek and Roman art, that is, reason, balance, objectivity, and restraint, as opposed to the individuality of expression typical of Romanticism. Classicism and Romanticism are often considered as opposite poles of art, but in fact many artists show elements of both in their work. At certain times, however, classicism has been a dominant trend, notably during the Renaissance and the neoclassical periods. At both these times ancient art exercised a strong direct influence, but this is not an essential component of classicism. The word is often used imprecisely and sometimes conveys no more than an idea of clarity or conservatism.