The Age of Revolution: 19th Century Neoclassicism, Romanticism & Realism with Ruth Grim

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 | 2:00 - 3:00pm

The end of the 18th century in Europe and America saw revolutions that would change the course of history in the Western world. The lecture by Ruth Grim, OMAM Guest Curator, looks at the art movements surrounding this turbulent time, as well as the highly consequential years that followed.

From Jacques Louis David (1748-1825) who painted seminal works embodying the spirit of the French revolution to Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) and Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) who would pick up the banner after him and usher in a new age of French painting devoted to the aims, aspirations and everyday life of the newly-empowered working classes. These are just a few of the prominent names that will be included in this lecture as the revolutions that took place spread a new feeling throughout Europe and beyond that the old power structures of the landed aristocracy ruling autocratically over their subjects was a thing of the past. While we often think of “Modern” art as that of the 20th century, Modernism actually began in this time period as the role of the artist had changed. He was no longer primarily on-demand to wealthy patrons, or the State or the Church. He (or she) was creating from his own volition and inspiration.

Art of the 20th century and of our own would not have been possible without the groundwork laid in the 19th century. The artists and works in this lecture will impress as they represent – despite their revolutionary nature – the best of the European tradition.

This lecture is free, but registration is requested as seats are limited. The program will last approximately one hour.

Registration will close when talk is full.

About the Speaker

Ruth Grim has a Master of Arts from the New York University Institute of Fine Arts with a specialization in 18th and 19th century European art. Her museum career spans 32 years of curatorial work throughout the state including 18 years at the Bass Museum in Miami Beach, seven years at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, and more than six years as chief curator at the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach.