Romanticism In The Late 18th And Early 19th Centuries

Romanticism in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries.

Romanticism was the intellectual and artistic movement that evolved in the late 18th Century, deriving from previous ideologies such as Classical art and Enlightenment thought. Romanticism gave birth to a whole new age and mentality, focusing its intention on emotion, freedom, self-consciousness and imagination. It was ultimately a revolt against all previous social, political and religious conventions. Romanticism made way for balance, harmony and idealization, which reflected on the desire of self without any other systematic influence. Romanticism advanced throughout all of Europe, swaying artists in countries such as England, France, Spain and Germany. The Romantic thought was the

An example of French Romantic style which was dominant in the first half of the nineteenth-century, revolved around the imagination of mythical themes playing dominant roles – in other words an illustration of a woman running over dead corpses with a French flag in hand, resembling victory. Eugene Delacroix created “Liberty Leading the People”, which signifies the events taking place during his time, identifying the struggle against repression and tyranny during the July Revolution in 1830. Delacroix 's use of color in this painting is undoubtedly prominent; the bright red, white and blue French flag at the center of the canvas is what identifies the subject matter. The figure of Liberty is the focal point of the canvas, as she commands attention. Delacroix uses this same colors below the flag, to identify the man reaching for Liberty. Delacroix had the same intention as J.M.W Turner, using art to express his emotion on the world around him and bring awareness to the unfortunate events that were taking place in France. In this case and in the case of the French Revolution, Delacroix was determined to influence a fight for freedom – to take the corruption of the political and social world and develop a new world order. The painting was an exaggeration, with the intention to spread a message instead of creating a natural

German Romantics believed strongly in the nature of religion (not Catholicism), but the importance of believing in something that attracts you closer to a higher entity. Personal faith and religion was considered helpful for individuals who wanted to live a humble and graceful life. German Romantics also felt strongly about the aesthetics of life and the nature of all things; how they looked, how the simplest things could be the most beautiful. The mutual desire was to leave their viewers in awe, experiencing a sense of emotion that could not be put into words; an example of this would be the painting “Wanderer Above a Sea of Mist and Fog” by Casper David Friedrich. This painting is quite extraordinary, as it touches many bases and can leave any viewer wondering what the artists message is. It is limitless and beautiful. The travelers attire, posture and independence as he is standing alone in the painting, indicates that he is in full control and dominates the outcome of his life; the choices that he makes are his alone and will lead him to where he may desire. The wanderer, in relation to the importance of religion and self growth, can be related to the biblical reference of “sheep”. The wanderer can be perceived as the individual who separates himself from the herd, like