Romanticism Art Movement - Essay Example

Romanticism Art Movement Romanticism (1790-1850) has been one of the most influential art movements of the late -18th to the mid -19th century in the Western civilization which gave paramount significance to individualism, subjectivism, irrationalism, imagination, emotions and nature. “The Romantic Movement did not necessarily favor a specific aesthetic; instead, Romanticism is characterized by an approach to art in which emotion is more important than reason.” (Safire, 25) Materialized as an artistic and intellectual movement against the established social and religious values and order, Romanticism supported the revitalization of several artistic styles.

The Romantic Movement emphasized different types of art styles, mainly because the artists of this movement believed in the expression of subjective experience of the individual and there were revival of the different styles. “Romantic artists were fascinated by the nature, the genius, their passions and inner struggles, their moods, mental potentials, the heroes. They investigated human nature and personality, the folk culture, the national and ethnic origins, the medieval era, the exotic, the remote, the mysterious, the occult, the diseased, and even satanic.

” (Romanticism) Significantly, Romanticism started as a movement in Germany and England in the 1770’s and, by the 1820’s, it had spread all through Europe, followed by its spread in the United States. There are a number of artists, including writers, poets, politicians, philosophers who belong to the category of ‘Romantic Artists’ and the most significant of them are William Blake, Henry Fuseli, Francisco de Goya, Friedrich Overbeck, Eugene Delacroix, William Turner, and John Constable.

All these Romantic artists enjoyed a romantic spirit which was above the firm formal rules and traditional procedures of the time and their role was similar to eventual egoistic creators. The artists of Romanticism considered imagination as a gateway to transcendent experience and spiritual truth and these qualities were evident in their artistic creations. It is significant to note that the Romantic Movement in art was a product of the movement in literature and philosophy which accentuated emotional, spontaneous and imaginative approaches.

“In the visual arts, Romanticism came to signify the departure from classical forms and an emphasis on emotional and spiritual themes. Caused by the sudden social changes that occurred during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, Romanticism was formed as a revolt against Neoclassicism and its emphasis on order, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality.” (Art History: Romanticism) Thus, the movement stressed freedom, emotion, and imagination of individuals and was subjective in character.

The artists of this group emphasized spontaneity and freedom and considered imagination as greater to reason and beauty. Therefore, they depended greatly on personal spirit and creativity as against formal training. “Romantic techniques were developed to produce associations in the mind of the viewer. These foundations of the Romantic Movement were influential in the development of Symbolism and later Expressionism and Surrealism.” (Art History: Romanticism) In conclusion, Romanticism has been a significant movement in the history of art and literature which tremendously influenced the artists of the period as well as the other movements of the time and the following age.

Works Cited “Art History: Romanticism.” Worldwide Arts Resources. 16 Feb. 2009. . “Romanticism (1790-1850).” Art History. 16 Feb. 2009. . Safire, William. (Ed). The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind. New York: Macmillan. 2007. P 25.