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How did Neoclassical sculpture react against the Baroque and Rococo styles?

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Edmonia Lewis: Hagar — Western sculpture *Hagar*, marble sculpture by Edmonia Lewis, 1875; in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

Neoclassical sculpture emerged in the 18th century as a deliberate reaction against the perceived excesses of the Baroque and Rococo styles. While Baroque art was criticized for its "fury," theatricality, and illusionistic complexity, the Rococo style was rejected for being frivolous and overly decorative.123

In contrast, Neoclassicism championed the ideals of Classical antiquity, emphasizing harmony, clarity, restraint, and idealism. Influenced by the writings of Johann Joachim Winckelmann, who advocated for "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur," Neoclassical sculptors sought to:12

Prioritize Line and Form: Emphasize clarity of contour and structural integrity over the "flying hair" and fluttering drapery characteristic of Baroque works.42
Adopt Restraint: Limit gestures and expressions to convey spiritual nobility and calm, avoiding the "barbarous" exuberance or forced violence found in earlier styles.2
Seek Universal Ideals: Focus on idealized depictions of natural forms, stripping away transitory or individualistic details to achieve archetypal significance.1

Though some early Neoclassical sculptors initially incorporated Rococo tendencies, these were gradually transformed into the severe, austere style that defined the movement's commitment to rationalism and the "true style" of the Enlightenment.23