Romanticism & Realism: Arts of the 18th-19th Centuries - Essay Sample

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.

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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

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.

Use of Romanticism With Other Diverse Artistic Styles

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

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.