Romanticism

Romanticism originated in Western Europe during the second half of the 18th century.

It is an intellectual movement graced by artists and writers that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. During the Age of Enlightenment, Romanticism was a form of rebellion against the aristocrat’s political and social views.

People who were involved at this movement showed their reactions about nature and based their opinions on scientific reasons. They used music, visual arts and literature to express and demonstrate their views.

Strong emotion was a big factor for drawing out inspiration for the romantics. It focused on great emotions such as awe and horror. It also included special emphasis on the emotions expressed in the confrontation of awe-inspiring untamed nature and its attractive qualities.

The movement promoted folk art and regarded it as noble.

Moreover, it went beyond rationalism and Classicism to promote medievalism along with other elements of art that have been perceived as authentically medieval.

Romanticism also tried to embrace the unfamiliar and the exotic in ways that are more authentic compared to the chinoiserie, where the power of mind is developed to escape and envision.

The roots of the movement draw back from German Pietism. Though the ideologies behind Romanticism valued emotions and intuition, the events during the French Revolution laid the foundations for the movement.

Romanticism was also influenced by the Industrial Revolution because its ideas presented an escape from modern realities.