What is Romanticism in Art — Definition, Examples & Traits

What is Romanticism in History?

First, let’s define Romanticism

Romantic artists showcased their versatility across different mediums and time periods. Everything from J.M.W. Turner's stormy landscapes to the poetic works of William Wordsworth and John Keats. Despite the variety, their works all embody the key themes and stylistic features that define Romanticism.

What is Romanticism in Origin?

Brief history of Romanticism

Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement in Europe that aimed to break free from the strict traditions and norms of the 18th century Enlightenment period. It originated in the late 18th century in literature and spread into art as well as music in the early 19th century. 

The Romanticism movement placed a strong emphasis on individualism, emotion, and imagination, in contrast with rationalism and order. This video by The School of Life breaks down how Romanticism began and evolved as one of the most influential movements in history.

In literature, the Romanticism movement emerged as a response to the Enlightenment, with poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats emphasizing the power of emotions, imagination, and nature. These writers believed that true beauty and truth resided not in objective reality but in the individual's subjective perception of the world. Their works often portrayed the natural world in glorified and idealized form, showcasing the magnificence of nature in a way that resonated deeply with their audience.

The literary movement then seeped into the visual arts during the early 19th century, spearheaded by painters such as Francisco Goya and Jacques-Louis David. Romantic artists rejected the rigid rules of Neoclassicism, a style that predated Romanticism, that insisted on portraying objects in their most objective, rational form. 

Instead, Romanticism artists sought to convey the emotions and feelings that were inspired by the objects they painted, often portraying nature and humanity in a more mystical and idealized form.

Romanticism in music began to emerge around the same time period as that in art. Composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert and Frederic Chopin put heavy emphasis on the expression of emotions and the ideas of individual subjectivity. 

Define Romanticism Traits

Characteristics of Romanticism

To understand this movement, we must explore the characteristics of Romanticism that define this artistic and literary movement. From an emphasis on emotion and imagination to a fascination with the natural world and the supernatural, Romanticism is a multifaceted and complex movement that has captivated audiences for centuries.

Emphasis on emotions and individualism

Emphasis on emotions and individualism is a core characteristic of Romanticism, particularly in literature and art. These writers and artists believed that an individual's personal experiences and emotions were integral to their creative expressions, leading them to prioritize the subjective over the objective.

Romantic writers used first-person narratives to express innermost feelings and thoughts, breaking free from traditional conventions to explore complex emotions. Romantic artists conveyed intense emotions through dramatic lighting, rich colors, and bold details. 

For example, The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault depicts a group of survivors struggling to stay alive on a raft in a tumultuous sea, with the use of dark shadows and light to create a sense of urgency and drama.

The romantic emphasis on individualism meant that artists felt no obligation to cater to traditional standards of beauty and perfection in their artistic creations. Instead, they sought to express the raw, honest, and unvarnished emotions that capture the essence of human experience.

Celebration of nature and the natural world

The celebration of nature is a defining characteristic of Romanticism that emerged in response to industrialization and urbanization in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 

Romantic artists portrayed nature's raw beauty using bold brushstrokes and vivid colors. Literature idealized nature as a source of inspiration and a reflection of deeper truths about the human experience. 

This celebration of nature was intertwined with themes of mysticism and the supernatural. Today, environmental art and contemporary writers continue to explore the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

Interest in the supernatural and mysterious

Interest in the supernatural and mysterious is a defining characteristic of Romanticism and is often associated with the movement's emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism. This fascination with the supernatural can be seen in literature and art, where writers and artists often explored themes of magic, the occult, and the unknown.

The interest in the supernatural and mysterious was in part a reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on rationality and scientific inquiry, which left little room for the mystical or supernatural. Additionally, it reflected the broader cultural fascination with the unknown and the unknowable, as people sought to explore deeper, more mysterious aspects of existence.

Concern with the past and nostalgia

For Romanticism artists the past was viewed as a source of inspiration because it was seen as a simpler and more authentic time, and therefore a way to connect with our more primitive and emotional selves.

Examples of Romantic works that highlight this characteristic include Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Kubla Khan," which writes about a fantastical world of the past that is both beautiful and mysterious. 

One iconic example of concern with the past and nostalgia in romantic painting is Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich, where the lone figure looks out over the misty landscape, evoking a sense of awe and melancholy as if longing for a past era of unity with nature.

Furthermore, Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" also reflects the Romantic fascination with the past — this time with the idea of resurrecting the dead.

Romanticism's concern with the past and nostalgia was deeply ingrained in the movement. It reflected writers' yearning for a simpler time and emphasized the power of emotion and imagination to connect us with the past.

Romanticism Art in Literature

Notable Romantic works and authors

Romanticism was a pivotal period in both literature and art, showcasing a creative outpouring of works that embodied the qualities of the era.

One of the most iconic examples of Romantic literature is William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud." This poem is a perfect example of the Romantic depiction of nature and emotions. 

Similarly, Samuel Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” employs the language of the supernatural, and John Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale” questions the nature of life, death and the beauty.

In art, J.M.W. Turner was a master at capturing the beauty and intensity of natural landscapes. His use of vivid, contrasting colors and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow set him apart from other artists of his time. 

His paintings, such as The Fighting Temeraire and Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth are considered masterpieces of the Romantic period, representing the era's idealization of nature and the sublime.