Cultural and Intellectual Influences

1750-1914

Transformations

Developments in science and the artsConsumer emphasis

Advances in Scientific Knowledge

Science and intellectual movements attempt to explain realityTraditions of rationalismDarwin’s evolutionary theoryEinstein’s theory of physical relativityFreud’s psychoanalysis

Advances in Medicine

Concern with the well-being of society1877 sewer systemsLouis Pasteur (1822-1895)Joseph Lister (1827-1912)

Artistic Expression

Romanticism Emotion and

impressionism keys to understanding human experience

Split between Romanticism and rationalism caused much debate

Science supported the industrial order

Artists followed experimental paths

No synthesis in the 19th century

Art and Literature

RealismReaction to

RomanticismBased on scientific

and rationalist thought Charles Dickens Mark Twain

Photography

Art and Literature-Realism

African and Asian Influence

Europeans took notice of African and Asian artistic styles admired dramatic, spare

style of traditional West African sculpture, wood, and metalwork

Use of color and stylized forms of design in Japan

Impressionists Simple themes in nature Free of traditional

constraints

Cultural Japan

Heavily influenced by the west Literature based on

European models Architecture and artists

create large building of steel

Greek columns Western fashion and

hairstyles Japan still preserved it’s

own values

Cultural Japan

Heavily influenced by the west Literature based on

European models Architecture and artists

create large building of steel

Greek columns Western fashion and

hairstyles Japan still preserved it’s

own values

Leisure and Consumption

Higher wages and fewer working hours New opportunities

Middle class values Pleasure is a legitimate

part of life

Consumption had to be encouraged

Field of advertising communicated sense of “needing things”

Popular “crazes” The bicycle Popular newspapers Theaters Professional sports

The End