P.4 T.4 Romanticism Synthesis

Following the influx of academic thinking and discovery throughout the Enlightenment, the following period, the Romantic Era, created huge backlash to the cold, stoic academia that preceded it. Instead of an emphasis on reasoning, the romantic period called for an overflow of emotion. Artists aimed to portray many aspects of this new emotion through many portals. Newly formed qualities of art included were increased nationalism, exoticism, heroism, and freedom. In the painting “Napoleon in His Study”, Jacques-Louis David highlights national identity, by portraying a leader with great posture and strength. This metaphorical representation the country he stands for leads to the nationalistic qualities of the art. In this same painting, heroism is portrayed showing Napoleon in “some of his greatest hours” as he stands proud in his uniform. The music would also tell a story and represent human emotion. Romanticism cherishes freedom and movement, translating to heightened and longing emotions in their music. The tempo increased during this period, as shown in the surging or yearning quality that makes them highly emotional as shown in Antonín Dvorak’s Humoresque piece. As we have learned throughout the year, anything can be representative of emotion and feelings, truly making it feel like art. Architecture of the Romanticism era, an unlikely form of art, is known to be exotic and legendary. The Colony of the Ulm building was created during the Romantic era with a medieval gothic feel. This era tried to resurrect old styles with the new creating gothic revival architecture. The revival of the gothic architecture was not related to the sensibility of Romanticism but was intertwined with deeply philosophical movements associated with a re-awakening. These four qualities, fresh and new, represent the ideals of the citizens of the Romantic Period. Unlike the Enlightenment, or others preluding, these art forms truly make a historic influence on the development of our lives today.

Sean Ehrlich, Deamer, Theo M.L., Marika S.M.