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