Celtic Revival

Introduction

Gaul god Sucellus

Celtic culture and art was being forgotten in time only to be found in Scotland and Ireland during the 19th century. Then Celtic art had an interesting surge in popularity. People started to discover more, started to practice the traditions and seeking to learn and understand the Celtic art. Some called it the Celtic renaissance.

What was the cause 

The growing of Irish nationalism  where the Irish where being suppressed and a form of political rebellion was to revive the ancient ways  being their historical past, myths, legends, and folklore

George Petrie

The Irish antiquarian movement also played part led by George Petrie where they started to acquire many manuscripts, metalwork, artworks  such as the Ardagh Chalice














Literary movement led by WB Yeats accompanied by Lady Gregory and Edwward Martyn Yeats formed an Irish literary Theater ( the Abbey Theater ) to promote Irish literature. Works developed where Playboy of the Western world (1907) and The Plough and the Stars among others.

J.M. Synge

"First produced in 1907, this play sent shock waves through the dramatic world, pushing the limits of decency and stoking an already red-hot nationalistic fire. Though met with near instant rioting and controversy, it is now considered a masterpiece of poetic drama."

The script can be found here : http://www.bartleby.com/1010/

Discoveries at Hallstatt in Australia and La Tene in Switzerland sparked further interest among the European Cultures and Celtic Cultures.

Revival in Fine Arts

James Barry Self Portrait

Artists such as James Barry showed Irish history as a part of their paintings to show and give off  a sense of Irish Identity. The young Ireland movement tried to use Contemporary Irtish art to again make a point in politics, this was transmitted through newspaper The Nation listed historical subjects for artists to use on their canvas. This influenced many painters. In the 20th century, it took a different turn it stopped conveying political messages and focused on medium and art itself.

This image shows the point of Irish myths being Irish Identity.

James Barry (Irish, 1741-1806), The Education of Achilles, c.1772, Yale Center for British Art, Connecticut

Other James Barry Works: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/james-barry/paintings/slideshow#/12

Sources:

Blueboy's Journey with Art. 2013. Blueboy's Journey with Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://thisblueboy.tumblr.com/post/36922184880/james-barry-irish-1741-1806-the-education-of. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

File:Gaul god Sucellus.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013.File:Gaul god Sucellus.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gaul_god_Sucellus.jpg. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Synge, J.M. 1911. The Playboy of the Western World. 2013. Synge, J.M. 1911. The Playboy of the Western World. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.bartleby.com/1010/. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Arts Revival Movement: Irish Art/Crafts, Nineteenth Century. 2013.Celtic Arts Revival Movement: Irish Art/Crafts, Nineteenth Century. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/cultural-history-of-ireland/celtic-art-revival-movement.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Fine Arts in the Celtic Revival. 2013. Fine Arts in the Celtic Revival. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/art/design/celtic/ringel10.html. [Accessed 19 May 2013].