...ROMANTICISM AND REALISM Deborah Christman Western Governor’s University ROMANTICISM AND REALISM Both Romanticism and Realism were art movements that began in the 19th century, during a time of war and revolution. Romanticism focused on emotions, injustice, and extraordinary, while Realism characterized the world without glorification. Both began as a response to historic ideas, but they vary in terms of artistic style and political views. In the first part of the 19th century, a new art movement began—Romanticism. Romanticism arose in retaliation of Neoclassicism, which placed restraints on artists and “rules-driven orderliness”. Romantic artists focused more on perception and impression, rather than on the specific object. They included “passion, emotion, and exotic settings with dramatic action”. Their attention was on the Romantic hero (archetype) who rejected normal life and focused on himself. The subjects in their paintings showed the preposterous and untamed side of humans. (Mindedge, 3.18) To display emotion and style, the artists used somber paint colors and displayed Gothic elements. The color red was used quite often as a sunset or in the person’s clothing, while black and gray were used for the skies to display impending doom. The main goals of Romanticism were to portray the battle between man vs. nature and man vs. himself, and also show certain political issues. The types of media used were oil paints and watercolor. The painting...
Words: 1543 - Pages: 7
...Reason, Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism Since 1660 the literary world has gone through four major periods, The Age of Reason, Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism. Each period had very distinct characteristics and writers who were able to define the style through their words. The Age of Reason was a time of wit, philosophy, and satire that Johnathan Swift and Voltaire utilized to explain their views on the modern world. Fredrick Douglass, William Wordsworth, and Jean Jacques Rousseau embodied the greatest aspects of the Romanticism era focusing on solitude, nature, and feelings. In 1830 the Realism movement started, a movement strife with inclusiveness and determinism that was highlighted in the works of Gustave Flaubert and Fyodor Dostoevsky. The most recent period was Modernism in which William Butler Yeats and T.S. Eliot used rationalism and psychoanalysis when writing their poems. Each period uprooted the period before it and the writers values and views contradicted those of the writers who proceeded them. The major aspects of each period are very apparent when dissecting the writers who lived through them. The Age of Reason covered from 1660 to 1770 and focused on order, cities, and used satire as a tool to find reason. Voltaire’s Candide and Swift’s A Modest Proposal were both satire that questioned traditions and philosophical norms of the times. In Candide, Voltaire mocks the idea that eternal optimism of ones course in life by continuously throwing...
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
...Cast of Madame Bovary: A Study of Realism and Romanticism Through the Characters of the Novel Gustave Flaubert is considered one of the most influential novelists of the Realist period. His most famous work, Madame Bovary, earned both heavy criticism and fame for its controversial style and mockery of Romanticism. The novel itself even went to trial, being banned for a while due to immorality (Various, 1). Many elements commonly found in Romantic novels were criticized and, to an extent, parodied in Madame Bovary. This stems from Flaubert having a cynical view of others, as well as a generally pessimistic outlook on life that was influenced by a young philosopher, Alfred Le Poittevin, who he met at an early age (Barzun, 1). This paper will describe how Flaubert goes after Romantic stereotypes within his masterpiece, looking at several of the characters and how they relate to both Romanticism and Realism, and to Flaubert’s personal life. Emma Bovary, Madame Bovary herself, is the biggest insult to Romanticism within the novel. Her self-view as a wronged lady forced into a situation lower than her status reflects many heroines of Romantic works who, while happy with their status, have the touch of nobility that Emma sees herself having. An excellent example of this is in chapter eight, when Emma participates in the ball. She, while being very beautiful, possesses almost no grace (being a farm girl, after all) and clumsily falls on the Vicomte. While she takes it as a tender...
Words: 2254 - Pages: 10
...Realism, in the context of art is the precise, full, straightforward depiction of nature and the natural world or of contemporary life. Realism rejects the idea of creative Romanticism in favor of a close observation of appearances. As such, realism looking at it from a bigger perspective has comprised many artistic values in different cultures and nations. In the relation to realistic art, for example, Realism can be found in Germany with the painting of Three Women in a Village church was displayed. This work of art simply depicted three peasant women holding prayer book while sitting on a pew in church. Also, in Italy there is a painting called The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit; the gist of the painting is the Boit sisters placed about...
Words: 321 - Pages: 2
...dramatic and complex paintings, such as “The Colossus” by Francisco Goya of the Romanticism movement characterized the early nineteenth century. A struggling political and social time in the Romanticism movement sparked a need in artists to document the ordinary world instead of grandiose and dramatic scenes, and the Realism movement began. This movement developed and popularized these depictions of scenes from the ordinary world without any flourish, as seen by Honoré Daumier with “The Third-Class Carriage”. Realism originated as a reaction to the social and political characteristics of the Romanticism movement, as seen in various literary works, impacted the art world greatly. The late eighteenth century began the Romanticism movement, which prevailed as the dominate artistic movement through the nineteenth century. It directly revolted against the Enlightenment period, by “challenging the excessive rationalism” and “stressed strong emotion as a source of aesthetic experience” and came about as a result of the effects of the French Revolution. Prior to the revolution, there was little or no creative expression and freedom of speech in Monarchy controlled areas (newworldencyclopedia.org). After the revolution, which included the collapse of such Monarch rulers, a new, dramatic sentiment emerged: Artist's were freed from oppressive restrictions and were now able to express their emotions. Romanticism focused on severe emotions...
Words: 964 - Pages: 4
...Romanticism and Realism According to the Merriam Webster dictionary (2014), art is defined as anything that is thought to be beautiful or expresses important ideas and opinions. Today I will be comparing two periods of art from the 18th and 19th centuries, Romanticism and Realism, and looking at their contributions to society and how each has had their own influence on the future art world. Romanticism is the earlier of the two art periods, and was first identified as a movement around 1800. Romanticism flourished in Britain and France up until the mid-nineteenth century. Romanticism can be defined as "A movement in literature and the fine arts, beginning in the early nineteenth century that stressed personal emotion, free play of the imagination, and freedom from rules of form." (Webster, 2014) This art style puts an emphasis on imagination and emotion. This new art form came about as a result of the after effects of the French Revolution and in defiance with the Enlightenment movement. Romantic art tends to express the true force of nature, with all of its uncontrollable power and unpredictability, unlike the controlling nature of the Enlightenment movement. A few of the Romantic artists include Gustave Courbet and Jean Francois-Millet. (Galitz, 2004) Some of the very notable characteristics of the Romantics are the use of emotion, excess instead of moderation, spontaneity, nature, subjective, use of symbolism, and mystery. (Clark, 2011) Romanticism came about during...
Words: 1861 - Pages: 8
...Romanticism and realism Romanticism Romanticism gained fame and momentum as a movement of art in the early 19th century and flourished till the 1850s. It was popular in France and Britain. Romanticism, which emerged as a reaction to the disillusionment with enlightenment involving order and reason after the 1789 French revolution, stressed on emotion and imagination. In romantic art, nature provided an appropriate alternative to the thoughts of enlightenment. In this case, nature was considered as unpredictable, had a great potential for extreme disasters and had uncontrollable power. The terrifying and violent images of nature invented by artists during the romantic period recalled the 18th century aesthetics. In British and French paintings of the early eighteenth century, the presentation of the struggle of man against the power of nature highlights this sensibility. Romanticism, which cannot be expressed using a single technique, attitude or style, is characterized by a highly subjective approach, such as visionary quality and emotional intensity (Tekiner, 2000). The context of romanticism can be equated to a reaction against the enlightenment age. It is believed that there is a big relationship between Romanticism and the French revolution that started in 1789. It can be said that most romantics were basically progressive in their opinions although others had conservative views because nationalism in many countries was associated with Romanticism (Noon, 2003). Realism ...
Words: 1134 - Pages: 5
...Naturalism and realism are responses to romanticism. This paper will explore the background of each and analyze the tension between the individual and the environment for chosen works by authors of each writing style. From 1860-1890 realism was prominent, developed as a reaction to romanticism as folks believed life was no longer seen through rose colored glasses. This was the civil war, the urbanization and industrializing of America and the emerging middle class as well as the upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19th century with increasing rates of democracy and literacy. The characteristics of realism are reaction against romanticism and neoclassicism, factual is more important than intellectual or emotional, life is driven by fate. An example of realist writers includes Mark Twain, William Dean Howells, and Edgar Lee Masters. From 1865 -1895 regionalism was prominent and was also referred to as local color. It focuses on characters, dialect, and customs specific to a certain region. Regionalism is coincided with realism and sharing many of the same traits. Regionalism was developed due to the civil war and the building of a national identity, and the dual influence of romanticism and realism. An example of regionalist writers includes Kate Chopin, Mark Twain, and Willa Cather. From 1880-1920 naturalism was prominent and is the view that nature is all there is and the basic truths are truths of nature. Naturalism applies scientific principles of objectivity...
Words: 1028 - Pages: 5
... Throughout the Grapes Of Wrath, author John Steinbeck incorporates an adequate amount of Realism as well as Romanticism within his novel. Although these philosophies are brought upon the audience, Steinbeck prominently bases of The Grapes of Wrath upon a substantial use of Artistic Romanticism, through the similarity between the themes as well literally devices. Steinbeck stress the use of literally devices throughout the novel which establishes The Grapes of Wrath philosophy of Artistic Romanticism and Realism. Artistic Romanticism is based upon the romantic viewpoint of a particular outlook on the relations among God, Nature, and the individual manifested meaning. Throughout the novel of “Romanticism and Transcendentalism” the author is capable of unveiling the abstract meaning behind the philosophies of Romanticism. Romanticism was an not just an artistic movement but also, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution (Holman, Hugh M. "Definitions of Romanticism."). In literature, Romanticism has been found through recurrent themes of advocating criticism of the past. As well as in the novel (Phillips, Jerry, Andrew Ladd, and Michael Anesko. Romanticism and Transcendentalism) the author touches base on multiple in-depth examples and meaning of Romanticism and how it has developed throughout the 1800-1860. The author also speaks of the effects it had...
Words: 1306 - Pages: 6
...Romanticism and Realism Cheryl Hert Western Governors University Romanticism vs. Realism The French Revolution brought about enormous change in the world. With the collapse of the absolute monarchy, the rules of society began to shift in favor of the common people. Under the new laws writers and artists were given a considerable amount of freedom to express themselves which did well to pave the way to set a high standard for literature (Gregory, 1915). During the time following the French Revolution, two very different styles of Art were formed; Romanticism emerged in 1820 and lasted until 1865. Realism then took over in 1865 and lasted until 1914. Although the two have very different characteristics, they both share the same beliefs in liberalism and the dignity of the common man. Romanticism evolved at the end of the 18th century as a reaction to the classical, formal compositions of Neoclassicism. Neoclassicism was based on reason, tradition, rules and order. Romantics believed the individual was more important than society, and with the Age of Industrialism upon them, they began to revolt against the conventional beliefs. Romantics viewed industrialization as an attack on humankind as well as Mother Nature. They believed that the industrial revolution was changing the natural order of man, who belonged in the country (Brown, n.d.). Romanticism had no “laws or rules” to follow. Romantic artist preferred emotion over reason,...
Words: 1017 - Pages: 5
...Tom Walker," and Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" show characteristics of the American Romantic Age. All of these stories have an emphasis on emotions rather than intellect and tend to reject realism and accept idealism. In Hawthorne's tale, he writes of an eccentric Dr. Heidegger who invites four of his elderly friends to his study to partake in one of his new experiments. This story exemplifies romanticism because it is highly imaginative and far-fetched. An acquaintance of the doctor discovers the fabled Fountain of Youth and sends him a vase full of its water. He asks his guests, eager to relive their glory days, to drink the magical concoction. Romanticism focuses on human nature and how humans inevitably sin and feel guilty. Each of the four...
Words: 570 - Pages: 3
...IWT1 Task 1 Romantic and Realist Visual Art Romanticism Romanticism first began as an artistic movement in the early decades of the nineteenth century in France and Britain, it continued to flourish until the mid-century. One of the biggest social conditions that contributed to the Romantic Movement in Europe was the British Industrial Revolution. Manufacturing, business, and the amount of wage laborers began to soar. This period was also largely a revolt against the aristocratic social and political norms. The Romantic Period was significantly associated with liberalism and radicalism, and the long-term effect of nationalism was probably much more significant. Romantics feared the oppression and conformity that they felt was brought on by Enlightenment, and so this period is thought to be a direct reaction to the dominance of it. They strongly believed that no person could ever understand or know everything about human personality or the world. The Romantic Period focused its main emphasis on the imagination and emotion. The romantic artists’ nature gave an alternative to the ordered world of enlightening thought. Romanticism painting is not generally identified with any one single style, attitude, or technique. It is more defined by a highly subjective and imaginative approach, a visionary or dreamlike quality and intense emotions. Romantic artists tried to express with suggestion, states of feeling that were too mystical, or too intense too define. Self expression...
Words: 1319 - Pages: 6
...American Realism The Civil War tore the country apart. Once America was reunited in 1865, there was a lot of healing that needed to take place to correct the wounds Americans had suffered at the hands of their kin. In these years there were still a lot of questions to answer and still a lot of truth to be found out about the nation itself. The questions of the place of African-Americans, white Americans, political Americans and every other kind of American out there was a source for constant frustration and violence. This is the background and the huge dust storm that American Realism rose out of. Prior to the Civil War, America was knee deep in the Romantic Movement which included writers such as Hawthorne, Thoreau, Melville, Poe and Whitman. Their writings focused on the puritan aspects of their ancestors or of the dark romance and psychological perspectives writers such as Poe and Melville used. However, after the war, this movement began to fade and Realism increased as the choice reading of the people. This was due to multiple events and changes in culture that led to Americans looking for something better to relate to. The first event was the end of the Civil War. The Civil War showed the violent intentions men had towards each other and also showed the vulnerability of men and the nation and how ungodly man actually was. However, Realism did not begin immediately after the Civil War but rather took off in the 1880’s. So what happened in the 1880’s then? The 1880’s...
Words: 1743 - Pages: 7
...Romanticism and the Birth of Realism Romanticism and the Birth of Realism Romanticism was an artistic movement that swept through most of the civilized world during the late 1700th and early 1800th centuries. Romanticism became a way of cultural expression in response to the previous movement of Classicism, which had been a period of order and rule as well as being long-winded and traditional. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the root word of Romanticism, “romantic” as being marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized. (Merriam-Webster, 2014) This is very much a summary of the entire period. The Romantic period has several significant contributions to the arts. Comedy was added to the drama as well as folk tales being part of entertainment. Poetry became shorter and less intense. Famous poet Robert Blake, who was largely overlooked during the Romantic period, donated several of his writings. Songs of Innocence and of Experience is an illustrated collection from Blake that has gained a popular notoriety in our current day. Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein which was a macabre story of crude medical experiment that put life into pieces of cadavers that were sewn together that eventually come to life. The meaning of the story is extremely fantastic considering the age that it was written. It is considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction. The Romanticism was also a reaction to the industrial...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...Chambers English 2333-53001 April 8 2014 From Romanticism to Realism in 19th Century The late nineteenth century was a period of incredible change as political empires broke up, independence rose, the power of the middle class replaced that of the dignity, and colonization grew. Although there were efforts to recover spiritual interest, normally organized religion reduced in influence in the late nineteenth century and was replaced by personal spiritual, moral, or theoretical beliefs. Literature developed as the creative standard that best expressed the social, economic, and logical concerns of the day, moving away from the issues and styles associated with Romanticism earlier in the century. Although in literature romantic elements in the Elizabeth and dramas, the English literary romanticism from the publication of Wordsworth and Coleridge's Lyrical Ballads shows romanticism in a different light than other stories. Wordsworth stated his belief that poetry results from "the natural overflow of powerful feelings," and pressed for the use of natural everyday expression in literary works. Coleridge emphasized, the importance of the poet's thoughts and discounted devotion to personal literary rules. William Blake was maybe the most outstanding of the English romantics. His poems and paintings are blissful, creative, and heavily descriptive, indicating the unworldly reality fundamental the physical reality. Romanticism stresses on self-expression and individual uniqueness...
Words: 841 - Pages: 4
