Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
ROMANTICISM
Neoclassicism was meant to be a reaction
to the Baroque style that was established under the
monarchies of Europe, but very quickly it too became the established style and dictated its rigid rules
for painting, music and architecture to most of the
western world. Several independent artists reacted
“Abbey in the Oak Forest”. Caspar David Friedrich.
oil on canvas. 44” x 681/2”. 1809-10. Schloss Charlettenburg, Berlin.
SOURCE OF INFLUENCE
CHARACTERISTICS
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Course Code: AVI 3O
to the restrictions of the classical academies (the
official art schools), and created the Romantic movement. The name Romanticism comes from a renewed
interest in the medieval stories of heroism and
emotion known as Romances. The Romantics saw
themselves as rebelling against the intellectualism
of the Neoclassicists by glorifying emotional content. The ideals of Romanticism spread to all the art
forms; Poetry, (Lord Byron, Keats, Shelly), Music,
(Beethoven, Chopin, Berlioz), Architecture, and the
Fine Arts. The idea of the artist removed from society that was glorified by the Romantics soon became
popular and spread quickly and continues to shape
our ideas about art and artists today.
Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
ROMANTICISM IN ARCHITECTURE
SOURCE OF INFLUENCE
Most Romantic art revived styles from the past and architecture had
the widest range of revival styles. After the Greek revival we find the NeoGothic, Neo-Renaissance and the Neo-Baroque together with a good mix of
Eastern influences.
CHARACTERISTICS
The most
common characteristic of Romantic architecture is its lifting
of architectural elements from almost any source.
CHARLES GARNIER (1825-1898)
left. Exterior of the Paris Opera, right. Grand Staircase of the Paris Opera.1874. Charles Garnier, Paris.
YOUR NOTES ON GARNIER
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Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
ROMANTICISM IN PAINTING
SOURCE OF INFLUENCE
Painting became the greatest creative achievement of the Romantic movement. Literature became an important source of inspiration for painters, providing
them with a new range of subjects and emotions. A renewed interest in the Baroque inspired many of the younger artists already tired of Neoclassicism.
CHARACTERISTICS
Romantic painting tends to capture violent activity, strong emotions and
energetic brush work not seen in Neoclassical works.
THEODORE GERICAULT (1791-1824)
Gericault used a very stable
compositional triangle to help
contain the chaos of the scene
“The Raft of the Medusa”. Theodore Gericault. oil on
canvas. 1818-19. 259x 324 cm. The Louvre, Paris
YOUR NOTES ON GERICAULT
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to achieve greater impact the
artist went to extreme lengths
prepaing for this painting
include sketching dead bodies
Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
EUGENE DELACROIX (1789-1863)
Liberty is an allegorical figure
included to strengthen the
theme of the painting and tie
it in with historical works of
art
“Liberty Leading the People”. Eugene Delacroix oil
on canvas. 1830. 259x 324 cm. The Louvre, Paris
Delacroix identifies himself
with the cause by putting
himself into the painting
YOUR NOTES ON DELACROIX
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Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
CASPAR DAVID FRIEDRICH (1774-1840)
the wreck of the boat is barely
visible within the massive ice
pack
the stability of the triangle is
in opposition to the tension
created by the numerous
diagonal lines
“The Polar Sea”. Caspar David Friedrich. oil on canvas.
1824. 97.7” x 128.2 cm . Kunsthalle, Hamburg.
YOUR NOTES ON FRIEDFRICH
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Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
ROMANTICISM IN SCULPTURE
SOURCE OF INFLUENCE
Sculpture was one area that did not really yield any works of "genius".
Like other Romantic artforms the sculptors were influenced by the ancient
Greeks and medieval times, and the late unfinished works of Michelangelo.
CHARACTERISTICS
The chief characteristic of Romantic sculpture is its "attitude" and scale.
AUGUSTE BARTHOLDI (1834-1904)
in this piece it is mostly the
theme and attitude which
links it to Romanticism
help from Gustave Eiffel
made the construction of this
enormous sculpture possible
“Statue of Liberty, (Liberty Enlightening the World)”.
Auguste Bartholdi.. copper sheeting over metal armature.
1875-84.. 151’ 6” high. Liberty Island, New York Harbour
YOUR NOTES ON BARTHOLDI
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Art History Book: Chapter 2 The Romantic Period
Course Code: AVI 3O
TERMS TO KNOW
Index
E
M
eclectic 9
Enlightenment 8
Medusa 10
Michelangelo 13
F
N
facade 9
Neo-Baroque 9
Neo-Gothic 9
Neo-Renaissance 9
G
Greek revival 9
Gustave Eiffel 13
L
W
William Parry 12
Louvre 9
KEY CONCEPTS
Which periods in history influenced the Romantics?
What aspects of style and approach to art do Romantics share?
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