Do you find yourself in a swirling tornado of emotions while looking at a picturesque depiction of life in art? Did you know that such forms of art that depict emotions, life, and nature are a product of the romanticism movement?
Romanticism is an art style that gives preference to human emotions, feelings, and abstract features of life over materialism and rational thoughts. The art forms can range from romanticism oil paintings displaying human innocence, zeal, and desires to illustrative poetry or music.
Romanticism, thus, became an outlet of human feelings for thousands of poets, musicians, and artists- a vast white canvas on which they could paint a medley of emotions.
From a dramatic display of love to the innocence in a child’s face, there is so much more to romanticism than what lurks on the surface, which an art connoisseur like you would love to know. Therefore we’ve master-crafted 6 interesting facts about romanticism movement that will feed your curiosity:
Romanticism is indefinable:
One unique thing about romanticism is that we’re unable to fathom its meaning into words. But it is not as much as the inefficiency of language that makes it hard to define romanticism as it is the complexity of its meaning. In addition to that, this movement didn’t have a definite technical style of art.
You start with human emotions, and it goes beyond humanistic feelings to the realm of fantasies, otherworldly landscapes, ethereal life forms, and superior beings. The true meaning of romanticism can only be contained in beautifully crafted romanticism paintings which are inspired by different spheres of life.
It had a dramatic touch
If you were living in the early 19th-century, you would witness romanticism brewing up as a worldwide art movement across the globe. Romanticism countered the neoclassical movement that promoted rational thoughts, science, practicality, and material aspects of the human form.
The Romanticism era was mainly about showcasing emotions, leading artists to adopt dramatic themes and drastic colours in their paintings. During the early 19th century, romanticism paintings (Sadak in search of waters of oblivion by John Martin) portrayed daily life situations with dramatic tones. They also dramatized the power of nature and the interaction of man with nature.
Representation of nature
Romanticism movement gave a new identity to nature and highlighted its importance. While romantic era paintings like the beaches 1845 by Asher Durand were set upon the theme of nature and its beauty, you’ll also find paintings like The Storm by William turner which spoke of the unparalleled might of nature.
Romantic-era artists were drawn to nature and saw it as a representation of man’s feelings. The “Back-to-Eden” concept also became popular during these times, which revolved around reclaiming child-like purity by getting in touch with “Eden” or nature. Natural disasters were also a common theme in the paintings of romantic era artists.
Romanticism is not same as Romance
Although romanticism sounds similar to Romance, you must not confine the vast horizons of romanticism to the ideas of love and other sappy worldly affairs. The tales of undying love, the promise of Romance, and the complexity of human relationships are all a part of the romanticism art, but romanticism in itself is too broad of a term to be contained only in these emotions.
Romantic paintings may start from human emotions like love, jump to the wrath of nature, and land in an unknown fantasy. They also represent superior human feelings like liberty and freedom. Thus, the idea of romanticism goes beyond the concept of Romance.
Rise of Plein air painting
Plein air painting, also known as painting outdoors, became a popular method of painting during the romanticism movement. As the artists tried to break down the chains of materialism, they saw Plein air as a form of getting away from the predetermined, realistic, and material surroundings. Many romantic era paintings like Wine harvest 1835 by Karoly portray somber outdoor settings of those times.
Focus on emotions rather than the model
Romanticism artists adapted the concept of capturing emotions instead of the physical features of the model. You can find several paintings showcasing raw emotions on human faces and might and strength of animals (like Adonis, the white stallion by James Ward) without recording the realistic details of their physical self.
Own a Romanticism Masterpiece
Romanticism movement in art was remarkable in its portrayal of human desires, feelings, and the idea of self, expanding beyond the material boundaries of the world. The true reflection of the movement can only be absorbed through the masterpieces created by romantic artists of that era. Romanticism carries a different meaning for different people, as the cynosure of the movement was the portrayal of individualism.
If you want to bask at the British romanticism art of the 19th-century romantic art forms, have a close look at the beautifully painted canvases that speak more than what words can ever convey.
