Neoclassicism and Romanticism The nineteenth century brought about the birth of the "Isms". Neoclassicism came first, stretching from 1780 to 1820. Drawing influence from the Greeks and Romans, Neoclassicism valued order and solemnity and there existed a calm and rational tone. Neoclassicists stressed drawing with lines and not with color. Oppositely, Romanticism, the second "ism", emphasized emotion and vibrant colors. Two paintings exhibit qualities from these artistic periods: "The Peale Family" by Charles Wilson Peale, and "The Oxbow" by Thomas Cole. Neoclassicist painting "The Peal Family" is first. Charles Peale's portrait of his family represents the Neoclassicist period. The painting portrays Peale's family seated around a table,
