Romantic Era (Ash.P1.T4)

The Romantic Era was an artistic representation that revolted against reason and artifice of the 1700s as ideas shifted toward nature and naturalness. (Moffat) As a reaction to political turmoil, Romanticism established a representation of man especially through art. Romanticist artists were motivated by the nature, their spiritual struggles, passions, and moods, which were all “gateways” to an ideal world that took them away from the ugly reality of industrialism. (Moffat) Thus, they investigated human nature, culture, and the medieval era, criticizing the narrow-minded, strict minds of society. Romantic artists such as William Blake, Francisco de Goya, and Henry Fuseli dealt with these dark feelings and rejection of society due to their belief that people should live up to a higher standard of individualistic ideas. In addition, “The Monastery Graveyard in the Snow” depicts a dark, eerie feeling as if the graveyard was haunted: the trees are bare like skeletons, representing the souls still wandering around the property. (Facstaff) Architecture was also influenced by this Romantic Movement, incorporating many pointed roofs and arches. This form of architecture reflected the Medieval Era due to its look and feel. The term “gothic” was in turn coined due to the ominous mood portrayed in Romantic representations, making it a subset of Romanticism. Furthermore, Gothicism expressed a sense of helplessness against forces beyond one’s control, such as a spiritual awareness. (Wiki) The Romantic Era was a fight for individual liberty that ennobled the common man as a secular, nonreligious being through the dark realities illustrated in Romantic art.

Works Cited:
“Romantic History.” Web. 10 Jan. 2012.
"Art of the Romantic Era." Web. 10 Jan. 2012. .