Romanticism

Overview

• Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 18th century.
• Emerged as a reaction against the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.
• Emphasized subjectivity, imagination, and appreciation of nature.
• Advocated for individualism, passion, intuition, and the supernatural.
• Idealized the past and the mysterious, celebrated heroism and the sublime.
• Peaked between 1800 and 1850, with a "Late Romantic" period extending until the early 20th century.

Key Characteristics

• Rejection of social conventions in favor of individual expressions and emotions.
• Romantic artists believed in the natural law of creativity over classical forms.
• Emphasized emotional authenticity over classical formality.
• Romantic literature often merged the protagonist with the poet themselves.
• Nature had a high inspirational value and was seen as beneficial to humanity.

Historical Context

• Stemmed from the Sturm und Drang movement in Germany, which opposed Enlightenment rationality.
• Influenced by the French Revolution and the era's political changes.
• Declined mid-19th century with the rise of Realism, Naturalism, and a more conservative political climate.

Impact and Legacy

• Influenced literature, music, art, speculative fiction, philosophy, and politics.
• Affected modern political theory and environmentalism.
• Romanticism's stylistic influence is evident in 21st-century orchestral cinematic music.

Literature

• English Romantic poets include Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, and Byron.
• In Germany, Goethe and Schiller were central figures.
• French Romantic literature saw figures like Victor Hugo.
• Romanticism in America included figures like Poe and Emerson, influencing Transcendentalism.

Visual Arts

• Landscape painting was a dominant form, with artists like Turner and Friedrich.
• French Romantic painters included Delacroix and Géricault.
• Romantic sculpture was less prevalent but notable in works by Rude and d'Angers.

Music

• Romantic music is defined by its expression and individuality, often associated with German composers.
• Figures like Beethoven, Chopin, and Lizst were key Romantic composers.

Architecture

• Romantic architecture often revived Gothic and medieval styles.
• The Gothic Revival was a prevalent form, influencing structures like Britain's Houses of Parliament.

Nationalism

• Romantic nationalism emphasized cultural and historical pride.
• Often intertwined with the collection and celebration of folklore and myths.

Science and Philosophy

• Romanticism affected scientific approaches and theories, integrating nature and emotional understanding.
• The movement also influenced theology, emphasizing individual spiritual experience.

Chess

• Romantic chess prioritized tactical maneuvers and aesthetic over long-term planning.

Summary

Romanticism was a complex and multifaceted movement that spanned across various fields and geographies. Its emphasis on emotion, individualism, and nature left indelible marks on Western culture, influencing art, literature, music, and even political and scientific thought. Romanticism's legacy continues to inform modern sensibilities and artistic expressions.