Question

What are some characteristics of 18th Century art in Europe?

Answer 1

The 18th Century art in Europe, Neoclassicism was the dominant artistic style in the 18th C with inspiration from the classical culture and art of Ancient Greece and Rome. Neoclassicism was strong in areas where classical examples were most i.e, painting, architecture, and sculpture. 
The name Neoclassicism was given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, music, theatre, literature, and architecture with inspiration from the classical art of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome.
The art of this period was characterized by clarity of form, shallow colors, strong horizontals and shallow space. The Neoclassicists believed strong drawing was supposed to be rational, therefore morally superior so, art should be cerebral not sensual.
The art o this period was strongest in Architecture, sculpture and Decorative Arts. 

Answer 2

During the 18th century, art was an important feature in Europe, although sometimes overlooked.  

Among some characteristics of the art in the 18th century in Europe, there are two that were predominant: Neoclassicism and Romanticism. Neoclassicism ran from mid-early 18th century to early 19th century. Romanticism ran from late 18th century to mid-19th century.

Neoclassicism was a movement in opposition to Rococo and returned to the simple forms of classical art such as ancient Greece and Rome. Neoclassicism was influenced by the Renaissance and was the artistic element of the Enlightenment. Artist in England had interesting works in arts and architecture. In France, Neoclassicism began in the French Revolution.

In the case of Romanticism, it rejected the principles of the Enlightenment as well as the aesthetic aspect of order that Neoclassicisms had, deciding for an emotional perspective highlighting nature and individual emotions. Art in Romanticism used colors to portray feelings and took aesthetic aspects from medieval times and Greek and Roman mythology.