The Spirit of the Age (1790-1850) ROMANTICISM: The Spirit of the Age (1790-1850) During 18th C a new artistic movement evolved. Classicism was a set of artistic rules that were supported by rationality of Enlightenment Romanticism = more spontaneous movement, revolt against Enlightenment & Classicism Started in Germany; characterized by unrestrained emotion & spontaneity “Sturm & Drang” (storm & stress) group in 11770s & 1780s Germany Tended to rebel against expected norms of society Grew their hair long, grew beards, wore outrageous clothes to show their individualism Rejected materialism; enchanted by nature Saw modern industry as ugly & the work of Satan Fascinated by colors & diversity; turned towards writing history History as the art of change over time; as key to a dynamic nation & understanding the national destiny Belief in emotional exuberance Enchanted by nature

A Growing Distrust of Reason Early 19c Enlightenment Romanticism Society is good, curbing violent impulses! Civilization corrupts! The essence of human experience is subjective and emotional. Human knowledge is a puny thing compared to other great historical forces. “Individual rights” are dangerous efforts at selfishness  the community is more important.

The Romantic Movement Began in 1790s Peaked in 1820s Mostly Northern Europe-- Britain & Germany Lord Byron - “The Romantic hero” A reaction against classicism. The “Romantic Hero:” Greatest example was Lord Byron Tremendously popular among the European reading public. Youth imitated his haughtiness and rebelliousness.

Wandering Above the Sea of Fog Caspar David Friedrich, 1818 Emotions! Passion! Irrationality! Wandering Above the Sea of Fog Caspar David Friedrich, 1818 Idea of individual set apart from society & struggling against great odds a recurring theme

1. Power & Fury of Nature 3. Power & Fury of Nature Glorification of Nature: Peaceful, restorative qualities [an escape from industrialization and the dehumanization it creates]. Awesome, powerful, horrifying aspects of nature. Indifferent to the fate of humans. Overwhelming power of nature. An Avalanche in the Alps Philip James de Loutherbourg, 1803

The Deluge Francis Danby, 1840 Emphasis emotion, sentiment, & the importance of inner feelings. First significant romantic work : Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The Sorrows of the Young Werther

Tree of Crows Caspar David Friedrich, 1822

The Wreck of the Hope (aka The Sea of Ice) Caspar David Friedrich, 1821

2. Science can be dangerous. The new technology is dehumanizing Rain, Steam, and Speed Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1844

From 1994 Film Frankenstein https://www. youtube. com/watch

3. Romanticizing Country Life Flatford Mill – John Constable, 1817

6. Romanticizing Country Life Flatford Mill – John Constable, 1817

The Hay Wain - John Constable, 1821

Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows John Constable, 1831

 “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roars: I love not man the less, but Nature more…” George Gordon aka Lord Byron “To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.” William Blake

8. The Exotic the Occult & the Macabre The Supernatural: Ghosts, fairies, witches, demons. The shadows of the mind—dreams & madness. The romantics rejected materialism in pursuit of spiritual self-awareness. They yearned for the unknown and the unknowable. Cloister Cemetery in the Snow Caspar David Friedrich, 1817-1819

4. The Exotic, the Occult & the Macabre Nightmare (The Incubus) Henry Fuseli, 1781

Abbey in an Oak Forest Caspar David Friedrich, 1809-1810

The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun William Blake, 1808-1810

5. Nationalism Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi Eugène Delacroix, 1827 9. Nationalism

Liberty Leading the People Eugène Delacroix, 1830

6. Interest in Exotic Lands Exoticism: The sexy “other.” A sense of escape from reality. A psychological/moral justification of imperialism? Massacre of Chios - Eugène Delacroix, 1824

Women of Algiers in Their Apartment Eugène Delacroix, 1834

THE isles of Greece! the isles of Greece     Where burning Sappho loved and sung, Where grew the arts of war and peace,   Where Delos rose, and Phoebus sprung! Eternal summer gilds them yet,          5 But all, except their sun, is set.

What do Romanticism and Disneyland have in common? The Romantic periods ends around 1850….but some people…such as the unfortunate King Ludwig of Bavaria…are “hopeless Romantics”

Realism Cultural works should depict life exactly as it is. Observed and recorded world around them to expose sordid (wretched) realities of life. Pursued “typical” and commonplace life. Focused on urban working classes and social problems: labor strikes, violence, alcoholism “art from below” – a focus on the people at the bottom of the social structure.

Daumier: Third Class Carriage

Daumier

Millet: The Gleaners

Millet: The Sower

Degas: L’Absinthe