Romanticism

As part of one of our units, we are looking at Art movements. We started with Romanticism and were looking over some of the characteristics of this movement. 

I learned that Romanticism began in the 18th Century, and was largely centred in Germany. It was a reaction to the rationalism of the Enlightenment, a dramatic revolution in science, philosophy, society and politics which spread throughout Europe during the 1700s. It seemed to be about the artists imagination and them as an individual, focusing on emotions, irrationality, wonder and awe. 

Although no one style of painting prevailed, Nature and bettering the human condition seemed to be where they turned for inspiration. I found this very interesting as nature can be very wild, violent and unpredictable, i can see why it would hold so many artist's fascination. 

One artists work i really connected with was Caspar David Friedrich. I particularly liked his painting called "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, 1818"

This painting i found very interesting. I love the dramatic waves and the contrast of the dark rock against the light blues of the sea and sky. The man facing away from you and looking out over the sea gives me the feeling that he is taking a moment to enjoy the view in peace and a sense of awe that i know was a big part of romanticism. I also really liked his piece Moonrise over the Sea, 1822 Also by Caspar David Friedrich

We also looked at the work of J.M.W.Turner. One of his paintings called : Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western Railway (1844)

This is very interesting to me because it is so contrasting in the style of Caspar David Friedrich's painting above. I love the sense of speed i get from this painting, perhaps the artist is hinting at the limits and dangers of technology it goes quite well with this painting called "Snow storm-Steamboat off harbour’s mouth"- 1842

I get the feeling of crashing waves at sea and i know Romantics were drawn to the darker side of nature with a boat in the middle of it, perhaps hinting at man vs. nature. I was quite drawn to the Romanticism movement because i have always loved nature and find it very inspiring, i also think that modern man has completely lost the connection to nature and that, to me, is quite sad when i look at these pieces of art.