Romanticsm

ROMANTICISM (1800-1810)

Overview

  • Romanticism emerged as a movement in reaction against the Neoclassical period, emphasizing emotional expression and individuality.

  • It explored themes such as a longing for history, supernatural elements, social injustices, and nature.

Popularity of Landscape Painting

  • Landscape painting gained prominence due to the romantic adoration of nature.

  • This movement contrasted with the classical, contemplative nature of Neoclassical art.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMANTICISM ARTS

  • Height of action: Artistic works capture dynamic and dramatic moments.

  • Emotional extremes: Works evoke a wide range of feelings and experiences.

  • Nature celebrated as untamed: Nature is portrayed as powerful and out of control.

  • Dramatic composition: Artists employed strong contrasts and dramatic arrangements.

  • Heightened sensation: Focus on life and death moments, showcasing intense emotion.

ROMANTIC PAINTING

Portraits/Figures

  • The Romantic period emphasized emotion in portraits and figures, with works capturing passion and the intensity of human experience.

KEY ARTISTS OF THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

Jean Louis Theodore Gericault (1791-1824) - France

  • A prominent figure in the French realistic school, known for energetic and powerful compositions.

Famous Artworks

  • The Raft of the Medusa: Portrays victims of a shipwreck, illustrating tragedy and despair.

  • Charging Chasseur: Showcases contemporary subject matter with influence from Rubens.

  • Insane Woman: A portrait depicting mental disability with hypnotic power.

Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863) - France

  • Regarded as the greatest French Romantic painter, known for brilliant visual effects.

  • Influenced many Romantic and Impressionist artists.

Famous Artwork

  • Liberty Leading the People: Commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, characterized by a figure of Liberty leading citizens over fallen bodies.

Francisco Goya (1746-1828) - Spain

  • Notable as a Romantic painter and printmaker, bridging classical and modern styles.

Famous Artworks

  • The Third of May: A powerful depiction of Spanish resistance against Napoleon.

  • Saturn Devouring His Son: A terrifying portrayal of the myth of Cronus.

  • The Burial of Sardine: Represents Spanish ceremonial life symbolizing rebirth.

ROMANTIC LANDSCAPE PAINTING

  • Depicts the natural world including mountains, valleys, and bodies of water.

  • Mood is shaped by elements like the sky, portraying everything from realism to romanticism.

Prominent Landscape Artists

  • Theodore Rousseau

  • Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot: Members of the Barbizon School advocating for Romantic landscape painting.

Notable Landscape Artworks

  • The Church of Marissel

  • Le Repos sous les Saules

  • Der Klein Fischer

  • Landscape with a Plowman

ROMANTIC SCULPTURE

  • Focuses on human and natural themes; Rude and Barye are leading figures.

Francois Rude (1784-1855) - France

  • Known for social art designed to inspire a broad audience.

  • Created many dynamic and emotional sculptures.

Notable Artworks

  • Departure of the Volunteers: Celebrates the call to French Revolution.

  • Jeanne d'Arc: Another significant work.

Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875) - France

  • Renowned animal sculptor, studied animal anatomy through zoo sketches.

Notable Sculptures

  • Theseus Slaying the Minotaur

  • Hercules Sitting on a Bull

GOTHIC REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE (NEOGOTHIC)

  • A movement beginning in England during the late 1740s, often featuring castellated designs resembling medieval castles.

  • Commonly used for churches and civic buildings across Britain and the U.S.

Featured Architectural Style

  • Heavily castellated buildings have been colloquially referred to as "castles."

  • Notable example: Strawberry Hill, representative of Gothic Revival.

Key Architects

  • Charles Barry: Responsible for Westminster Palace in London.

  • James Renwick: Known for St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Closing Notes

  • The Romantic period is characterized by a search for emotional depth, dramatic expression in art, and a celebration of nature, societal issues, and human experience.