Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog,' ca.
Today, the Romantic genre is mostly associated withlarge-scale paintings.
What was the Romantic Period?
Caspar David Friedrich, ‘Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog,' ca. 1818 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
While Romantic figures agreed with the Enlightenment’s interest in individualism, they steered away from its rationalism.
Their approach diverged greatly from the Neoclassicists, who were known for their didactic history painting.
Specifically, in the movement’s early years, these figures predominantly focused onlandscape painting.
Eugène Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People,” 1830 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
However, aside from painting, Romanticism found most of its success beyond the visual arts.
Some of the 18th and 19th century’s most well-known composers worked in the Romantic style.
Similarly, Romantic interests flourished in the field of literature, particularly in poetry.
“Wreckers, Coast of Northumberland,” c. 1834 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
English poets likeWilliam Blake,William Wordsworth, andSamuel Taylor Coleridgeled the way with their sensitive written works.
The Romantic movement also touched more academic disciplines, including education and both the social and natural sciences.
There was something pioneeringalmost revolutionary about Romanticism, theNational Trustsays.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Martin Sun/Shutterstock
It involved breaking with the past, and consciously moving away from the ideas and traditions of the Enlightenment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Romanticism?
Romanticism was an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the late 18th century.
