Romanticism

Source: Britannica

Romanticism was an artistic, intellectual, literary, and musical movement that took place in Europe towards the end of the eighteenth century and lasted until the mid-nineteenth century [1]. It was characterized by a rejection of the perception of harmony, order, calm, idealization, balance, and rationality, and a focus on emotional sensitivity, individualism, imagination, and strong emotion [1]. Romanticism emerged as a response to the disillusionment with the Enlightenment values of reason and physical materialism [4].

The key characteristics of Romanticism include:

1. Emphasis on Individualism: Romanticism placed a strong emphasis on individualism, with artists and writers celebrating the unique qualities of the individual and their emotional experiences [2].

2. Imagination and Emotion: Romanticism valued imagination over reason, and emotional sensitivity was considered more important than rationality [1].

3. Nature: Nature was a significant source of inspiration for Romantic artists and writers, who depicted it as beautiful, powerful, unpredictable, and destructive [2].

4. Sensibility: Romantic literature often featured themes of sensibility, with an emphasis on women and the isolation of the artist or narrator [2].

5. Freedom of Self-Expression: Romanticism emphasized the freedom of self-expression, sincerity, spontaneity, and originality [3].

6. Rebellion Against Classicism: Romanticism rebelled against the classical tradition, turning to sources of inspiration for subject matter and artistic style[3].

7. Influence of the French Revolution: The French Revolution had a significant impact on Romanticism, with its promise of liberty, equality, and fraternity inspiring many Romantic writers and artists [5].

Some key figures in Romantic literature include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats [3]. In visual arts, Romantic artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, J. M. W. Turner, Thomas Bewick, Samuel Palmer, and John Constable depicted nature in various ways, reflecting the movement's emphasis on emotion and individualism [2].

In conclusion, Romanticism was a significant artistic, intellectual, literary, and musical movement that took place in Europe during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It was characterized by a rejection of classical values, an emphasis on individualism, imagination, emotion, and nature, and a rebellion against the classical tradition. Romanticism had a profound impact on literature, visual arts, and music, and its influence can still be seen in contemporary art and culture.

 

Citations:

[1] Prasanna. (2021, January 18). Romanticism Essay | Essay on romanticism for students and children in English. A Plus Topper. https://www.aplustopper.com/romanticism-essay/

[2] Romanticism. (n.d.). GradesFixer. https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/romanticism/

[3] Romanticism Essays | 123 Help me. (n.d.). https://www.123helpme.com/topics/romanticism

[4] Authors: Kathryn Calley Galitz. (1 C.E., January 1). Romanticism. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roma/hd_roma.htm 

[5] Understanding the romantic period. (n.d.). https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/s/shelleys-poems/critical-essay/understanding-the-romantic-period