Sentimentalism in Painting: Heartfelt Emotions and Sensitive Subjects

Sentimentalism is a style in painting that contrasted the cold classicism with the warmth of natural human emotions. The name of the style itself comes from the French word "sentiment," meaning "feeling." Sentimentalism in painting was part of a broader cultural trend during the 1720s to 1780s, encompassing literature, theater, and various branches of the arts (in Russia, in contrast to Europe, sentimentalism emerged a bit later and dominated in the late 18th to early 19th centuries). Sentimentalists proclaimed the supremacy of emotions over reason and celebrated the sweet joys of human existence and "sensitive themes" that touched the soul. Sentimentalist artists made significant contributions to the development of portraiture and landscape painting.

Sentimentalism. Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Young girl at the window, second half of the 18th century

Sentimentalism: Style Features

So, what is sentimentalism? What distinguishes paintings created in this style? When studying the works of sentimentalists, the following characteristics of this artistic movement can be identified:

• Paintings are characterized by intimacy and lyricism. Epic stories of legendary or mythological themes do not interest the painters, and they don't create solemn, formal portraits.
• Characters in the paintings are depicted in natural settings—outdoors, at home, sometimes as guests.
• Artists strive to evoke emotional experiences and sympathy in the viewers for the characters.
• The finest works in the sentimental style convey a person's mood and reveal their soul.

Sentimentalism. Jean-Baptiste Greuze. L'Accordée de Village, 1761

Sentimentalism. Thomas Gainsborough. Mr and Mrs Andrews, 1750

Let's name the traditional motifs and themes in sentimental art:

• Idyllic relationships between humans and nature.
• Peaceful family life and the enjoyment of family joys.
• Depictions of "poor orphans" and other suffering characters, but without deep drama.
• Images that evoke tenderness, such as children.

Sentimentalism. Jean-Baptiste Greuze. The Capuchin Doll, 1765

Sentimentalism. Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Portrait of a boy, 1790

The History of Sentimentalism in Painting

Sentimentalism emerged in the 1720s in England and gained strength in the mid-18th century. It contributed to the development of English landscape painting and also influenced the art of watercolor.

Sentimentalism. Richard Wilson. Lake Avernus, circa 1765

Sentimental painting from Great Britain spread to other European countries, reaching its peak of popularity in the 1760s. However, in Russia, this style arrived a bit later, towards the end of the 18th century.

Sentimentalism. Alexey Venetsianov. In the Ploughed Field: Spring, 1820

Sentimentalism partly resembles another intimate style that was developing during the same period - Rococo, the adherents of which also opposed classicism and celebrated idyllic joys. But Rococo was more aristocratic, playful, frivolous, and sensual. In contrast, sentimentalists, instead of erotic sensuality, emphasized heartfelt impulses, creating a calmer mood in their paintings with more natural characters. Additionally, sentimentalists sometimes incorporated didactic and moralizing elements into their works.

Sentimentalism. Alexey Venetsianov. In the Ploughed Field: Spring, 1820

However, there were examples of blending these styles within a single work, as seen in the works of Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin.

Sentimentalism. Jean Siméon Chardin. Saying Grace, 1740

Often, sentimentalism was combined with classicism or romanticism, and sometimes it was woven into a symphony of multiple styles.

Sentimentalism. Vladimir Borovikovsky. Portrait of Maria Lopukhina, 1797

The decline of sentimental art came in the 1780s (in Russia, in the early 19th century), although some artists continued to work in this style later, such as Louis-Léopold Boilly. Sentimentalist painters were criticized for excessive sweetness, emotional manipulation of the viewer, for the characters' exaggerated emotions, and for extracting tears from the simplest painting techniques.

Sentimentalism. Jean-Baptiste Greuze. The dead bird, 1800

Nonetheless, sentimental artists made a significant contribution to the development of painting. Sentimentalism, by delving into the human soul and emotions, served as a precursor to Romanticism, where psychological motifs became even deeper.

Sentimentalism. Louis-Léopold Boilly. Gabrielle Arnault, 1815

Famous Sentimentalist Artists

Renowned sentimental artists were found in England, France, Germany, and Russia. In this style, the following artists made significant contributions:

• English landscape painters Richard Wilson and Thomas Gainsborough, along with their German counterpart Jakob Philipp Hackert.
• Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin, the singer of "quiet life," who skillfully blended sentimentalism with Rococo.
• Another French genre and portrait artist, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, known for his distinctly sentimental works (he is often cited as an exemplary sentimentalist).
• Louis-Léopold Boilly, a painter whose works were described as charming and delicate.
• Master of Russian pastorals, Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov (Russian: Алексей Гаврилович Венецианов).
• The famous portraitist Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky (Russian: Владимир Лукич Боровиковский), whose works combine classicism and sentimentalism.
• Nikolai Ivanovich Argunov (Russian: Николай Иванович Аргунов), known for his intimate portraits with a touch of sentiment.

Sentimentalism. Louis-Léopold Boilly. Inoculation contre la variole à Paris, 1807

Sentimentalism. Ivan Argunov. Portrait of Kalmyk girl Annushka, 1767

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