Final answer:
During the Renaissance, the rebirth of classical ideals, or Neoclassicism, was most pronounced in architecture, sculpture, and the decorative arts, adhering to principles of order and symmetry based on Greek and Roman art. This movement arose alongside the Enlightenment era, with the discovery of ancient sites like Pompeii reinforcing the fascination with classical culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rebirth of Classicism
During the Renaissance, there was a notable revival of classical ideals known as Neoclassicism, which drew inspiration from the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome. This movement emerged strongly in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly coinciding with the Enlightenment era. Neoclassicism was most profound in architecture, sculpture, and the decorative arts, where there was a significant repository of classical models to emulate. Influences from the classical period were also seen in music, painting, and literature, echoing a return to order and simplicity that was celebrated in antiquity.
In contrast to the Baroque and Rococo styles that emphasized ornamentation and asymmetry, Neoclassicism sought to resurrect the orderly and symmetrical principles evident in Roman and Ancient Greek art. The excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum played a crucial role in reigniting interest in Graeco-Roman culture, influencing artists across Europe to adopt classical elements in their works. Marble, as a medium surviving from that era, became particularly associated with the aesthetic of the classical art revival during the Renaissance.