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Paris Salons
"...these hostesses held regular social gatherings called salons. At these events, philosophers,writers, artists, scientists, and other great intellects met to discuss ideas and enjoy artistic performances (Black and Beck 558).
Salons began to increase in popularity in the beginning of the 17th century and into the 18th. These meetings were usually held and led by women, whom picked the topics of discussions. However, all individuals, men included were allowed to share their ideas and opinions. -
Women and Writing
"Writers—including many women—turned out a flood of popular novels in the 1700s" (Black and Beck 561).
Women's influence on the arts, specifically writing, increased dramatically. More and more women were taking a part in creating writing pieces, such as novels. In them, they expressed views, morals, and ideas. Publishing their work allowed others to discover and assist the work the women were putting out into public. -
Novels
"English novelists such as Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding developed many of the features of the modern novel...Richardson’s Pamela is often considered the first true English novel (Black and Beck 561).
During this time period, styles of writing and art changed. Richardson's, Pamela, includes a structure similar to modern day writing. More novels continued to be produced and were enjoyed by the people. The authors created them to express ideas and the audience used them for entertainment. -
Frederick the Great
"Frederick II, the king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, once wrote
to Voltaire: 'I must enlighten my people, cultivate their manners and morals, and make them as happy as human beings can be, or as happy as the means at my disposal permit'" (Black and Beck 561).
Frederick the Great wrote various letters to Voltaire, starting around 1742. In them, he discussed important issues dealing with enlightenment and forms of freedom for his people. During his reign, he tried to the most for the nation. -
Domestic Pleasures
"This detail of Seated Woman with Book, by French artist Jean-Baptiste Chardin,shows a middle class woman whose interests include reading. In the 1700s, the middle class had more leisure time for such pursuits" (Black and Beck 559).
As enlightenment continued, various groups of people in different rankings, were exposed to new ideas being shared. With the books being supported by those reading, the creators were able to continue distributing and producing their art and values. -
Diderot's Encyclopedia
This Encyclopedia, as he called it, would bring together all the most current and enlightened thinking about science, technology, art, government...Diderot began publishing the first volumes in 1751 (Black and Beck 558).
The encyclopedia established by Diderot, allowed for various and current ideas to be put into one source. Information about the arts, science, and more could all be found in it. The thoughts and ideas in the encyclopedia and were published and shared among all those interested. -
Government and the Church
"The Enlightenment views expressed in the articles soon angered both the French government and the Catholic Church" (Black and Beck 559).
Soon after Diderot published volumes of his encyclopedia, he received backlash from the government and Church and his work was banned. This was caused by the ideas Diderot was expressing and sharing in the encyclopedia. The government nor the Church, who were still more bonded then separate, believed that the ideas presented did not fit into their beliefs. -
Catherine the Great
"In 1767, Catherine formed a commission to review Russia’s laws...Among other changes, she recommended allowing religious toleration and abolishing torture and capital punishment (Black and Beck 562).
Catherine the Great tried pushing Russia towards a more modernized way of life and structure. She based ideas for reform off of certain intellectuals. Her suggestions included a higher acceptance for varying religions and ridding the nation of cruel acts when it came to punishment. -
Neoclassical Period
"Artists and architects worked in a simple and elegant style that borrowed ideas and themes from classical Greece and Rome. The style of the late 1700s is therefore called neoclassical. In music, the style of this period is called classical (Black and Beck 559).
Around 1770 the neoclassical period in music began. Enlightenment caused various styles to form within different sections of the arts. The music composed during this time, typically flowed in an elegant manner. -
Russia's Enlargement
"The three neighboring powers—Russia, Prussia, and Austria—each tried to assert their influence over the country. In 1772, these land-hungry neighbors each took a piece of Poland..." (Black and Beck 562).
As Catherine the Great aimed for power and expansion, she saw an opportunity for both in Poland. Her impact on Poland permitted for Russia to obtain a piece of it. As time went on, Catherine continued to strive for prosperity, resulting in Russia's extensive enlargement. -
Catherine Changes her Mind
"Her thinking about enlightened ideas changed after a massive uprising of serfs in 1773" (Black and Beck 562).
After a rebellion arose, Catherine's values and ideas in favor of enlightenment changed. Before the serfs rebelled against her, she had tried to bring an end to serfdom. However, once she saw she needed support to hold down her position, she gave the nobles complete power over the serfs. This way, it would be very difficult for serfs to gain enough power to even try and rebel again. -
The 13 Colonies
"Britain, faced a challenge in its 13 American colonies. Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, colonial leaders decided to cast off British rule and found an independent republic" (Black and Beck 562).
The idea of Enlightenment inspired groups, such as the 13 colonies to oppose and go against laws and values established by Britain, that they did not agree with. The people of those colonies desired change within their government and way of life. This drove them to rebel, leading them to independence. -
Joseph II
"The son and successor of Maria Theresa, Joseph II ruled Austria from 1780 to 1790. He introduced legal reforms and freedom of the press. He also supported freedom of worship—even for Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and Jews" (Black and Beck 561).
Enlightenment could also be seen in monarchy. Joseph II made changes to guidelines that had been previously established. He encouraged and believed in freedom for the people in different fields, such as religion and forms of communication. -
Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun
"...Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun was one of the most celebrated portrait artists of the late 1700s. Her own energy, success, and independence also reflected the Enlightenment spirit" (Black and Beck 560).
Art was drastically impacted by Enlightenment. Painters would take emotions and settings around them of what could be seen and felt, and portray them in paintings. Elisabeth's art, such as the self-portrait with her daughter, give insight on the enlightenment spirit during the time. -
Disappearance of Poland
"In further partitions...they grabbed up the rest of Poland’s territory. With these partitions, Poland disappeared from the map of Europe" (Black and Beck 562).
Surrounding powers, such as Russia, Prussia, and Austria craved for an increase in power and strength. By obtaining pieces of Poland, they gained both. Although, for Poland this meant the fall and disappearance of their territory and nation.
