Romanticism in Art: Expressing Emotions Through Colors - Essay Sample

Introduction

Romanticism artistic style mainly concentrates on what the artist feels. Romanticism and modern arts closely have the same characteristics since they express color, spirituality, thirst for the immeasurable, and intimacy (Remak, 2005). For instance, the painting of Jacque- Louis David the Oath of Haratii represented both the neoclassical and the romanticism artistic style. Most artistic paintings have subject matters that represent emotions, for instance, in the French paintings, which were mostly involved with a Baroque artistic style, the use of brilliant colors, exaggerated

Baroque Artistic Style

Baroque is an artistic style period that began in 1600 around Rome and Italy. The style was closely associated with the catholic church. The art was a response to the Protestant Reformation. Baroque major characteristics include the use of overstated gesture and rich detail used to produce artistic works. Second, the use of the chiaroscuro technique. This technique involves the use of light and dark pictures mostly used in dimly light scenes to get a high-contrast dramatic atmosphere. Lastly, it stressed on gallant spaces, domes, and large masses.

Rocco Art

Rocco artistic style arose in the early 1700s in France. (Janson, Janson, & Marmor, 1997). The art was associated with the French King Louis XV. Rocco art got characterized by light and scatters, exhibited happy scenes of the society's elites, and symbols of sex, beauty, romance, and play became apparent in this period of art.

Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism art movement began in the 18th century. It was highly inspired by Greece and Rome culture and classical art. Neoclassical style mainly concentrates on order, symmetry, and simplicity. The subject matter of the neoclassical paintings relates to Greco-Roman history or other cultural elements such as virtue. Neoclassicism developed to encompass all forms of art including painting, literature, music, theatre, sculpture, and decorative arts.

The Oath of the Haratii as a Neoclassical

The painting shows three sons with their father standing in front of swords. Their gestures show that they are taking an oath. The painting represents the neoclassical history showing exemplary behavior. The lighting shows the eligibility for the painting.

Romanticism

It was a literally, artistic, and intellectual movement that began towards the end of the 18th century. It originated in Europe following the French revolution which was a response to classicism, scientific rationalism, and enlightenment period. Most of these arts became characterized with focus on the narrator's emotions, recognition of nature and beauty, use of the poem in their arts, social resolution, and use of supernatural elements.

Realism

This style of art began in the 19th century with the aim of expressing the world photographically. It was majorly characterized by absolute objectivity, emphasized on the everyday, and lastly photographic accuracy which captured everyday life including the clothing, quality of life, and setting.

The painting of neoclassicism showed classical aspects through dramatic, rhetorical gestures. It provides a story of virtuous behavior.

Paul Reuben Baroque artist

Paul Reuben was one of the most known Baroque artists in the 17th century. His painting of the elevation of the cross contained several baroque artistic characteristics. The painting represented action and emotion which was meant to encourage catholic faith (Remak, 2005). First, Reuben creates a dramatic moment when raising the crucifixion of Jesu Christ to an upright position (Toman, 2000). The left panel shows the Virgin Mary looking at what unfolds on her eyes. The painting also shows a group of women who had seen the fate of Christ filled with resignation and grief. Reuben, in this case, uses a diagonal line to set apart Mary and John and the women, letting the viewers concentrate on their reaction. The diagonals Reuben use on the right panel separating the thieves and Jesus creates tension which increases the viewer's sense of drama and chaotic action. The dog in the picture represents faith which in this case represents Catholic faith.

The Reaction of Counter Reformationss by the Catholic Church

Counter reformations evolved with the need to separate the protestants from the Catholics. The catholic church responded to this counter-reformation through education, where priests inspired education on the faithful leading to more seminaries. Secondly, the used missionaries to spread the catholic faith especially in countries which were colonized by roman catholic.

The two styles used in the 17th century include baroque style and Rocco style. Practitioners include Caravaggio for Baroque style and Germain Boffard for the Rocco style.

Versailles and Caravaggio

The Versailles was built to focus on the importance of Louis who was commonly known as the sun of god. The Versailles contained many rooms. Sleeping rituals would take place in Loius's bedroom (Toman, 2000). The paintings in these walls also put Louis between paintings of the French gods. The paintings also showed the military power of the French. The hall of mirrors running centrally meant to catch the rays of the rising sun reminded people of the Louis' power. The outer parts of the palace were a classical embedded with gold and statues.

Zurbaran Painting

In Zurbaran painting of his death, he adopts a few aspects of Caravaggio. He uses the lighting of Caravaggio, he also used stunning drama visibility. The lighting showed that Christians had the eye of God.

The Enlightenment Thinking

The enlightenment period which was in the course of the 18th century saw the rise of politics, philosophy, science, and communication (Janson, Janson, & Marmor, 1997). The enlightenment thinkers embraced the idea of improving humanity through rational change. They were also against traditional authority.

The two political and social activities that stimulated realism include, the increased industrialization and globalization leading to social destruction. Thus led to wealth disparities and conflict between labor and capital. The rise of the proletariat which was a political and social force.

Association of Gustave Courbet art of the Stone Breakers to Realism

The picture of the boy and the old man represented everyday life, while the metaphor focused on the nature of poverty (Toman, 2000). Their clothes are tattered, they are very strong and they are dirty. Their cracking of pebbles shows the lowest income jobs.

Edouardo manets Painting (image 4)

The painting consisted of a nude woman lying on the chaise, a cat at her feet and a black woman holding flowers. The painting mocked the neoclassical style that focused on the culture and virtues of Greece and Romans. The subject became too modern displaying a naked woman which robbed the art historical genre of nudes, that is, their mythic framework.

Analysis of the Grande Odalisque by Ingres

The painting represented the classical traditions. Moreover, the painting was characterized by rich color and lavishness changing direction from neoclassicism towards romanticism. The setting sets the woman in an elongated posture signifying the artists' fantasy further showing romanticism.

Goya The Third of May and Turner Snowstorm (image 2)

Both of these artists made their works during the neoclassical period which was giving way to romanticism. Therefore, they include some romanticism features in the paintings such as, their emotion. Turner was worried about the results of the war since one rival group was stronger than the other. On the other hand, Goya used colors and painting to show his loneliness during his final years.

Cole The ox box (image 3)

The view of the land in the picture represented danger and fear while the left side of the land showed people pastoral land which had changed to accommodate settled, peaceful agriculture. This depicted the nature and history of humans.

References

Janson, H. W., Janson, A. F., & Marmor, M. (1997). History of art. London: Thames and Hudson.

Remak, H. (2005). West European romanticism: Definition and scope. Essays in Romanticism, 13(1), 81-111.

Toman, R. (Ed.). (2000). Neoclassicism and Romanticism: architecture, sculpture, painting, drawings, 1750-1848. Cologne: Konemann.