Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Romanticism in Art

The term “romantic” is rooted in the medieval romance, a poem or story about heroic people or events. Romances were presented in an imaginary fashion, taking readers far away from the realities of everyday life. We now associate this term with the mid-late 19th century during which art and music took a turn away from the simple and orderly ways of the classical period. Today, let’s look at a famous piece of art from the Romantic period and then we’ll explore a musical selection next time.

Romantic art focused on the expression of self. As society changed due to advances in science and technology, Romantic artists reacted by reaching into the past and exploring myths and imaginary themes. They also tended to focus on subjects such as nature or solitude as industrial city centers and populations grew.

Here you can see Casper David Friedrich’s Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. Which of the characteristics mentioned above does this piece reflect?


Casper David Friedrich’s Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog
Courtesy of wikimedia.org