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The Romantic Period
The Romantic period was a reaction to and a rejection of both early 18th century Enlightenment and Neoclassicism. Romantic art often emphasized the individual, the irrational, the imagination, and the emotional through the rejection of the notions of order, harmony, and balance. Ultimately, art during the Romantic era prioritized the emotional and sensual. The art of this time period also often showed an appreciation for nature as well as the exotic and mysterious. -
Fuseli, The Nightmare
The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli is the most famous painting of the Romantic period and was a fascination among viewers. The painting’s depiction allowed for the viewer to become overwhelmed with feelings of fear due to the apparent effects of paralysis that the female portrays, curiosity about what could have caused the scene depicted in the painting, and/or infatuation and obsession as the woman’s body could be portrayed as opened and inviting for the incubus. -
William Blake, Songs of Innocence and Experience
Songs of Innocence and Experience is a collection of poems by William Blake that is considered to be one of the first pieces of literature starting the Romantic period. The first collection of poems under Innocence, represent the childlike innocence of humans before they become aware of sin. Conversely, the poems that represent Experience, depict loss of innocence and the negative influence of the outside world that corrupts. These poems show all humans must go through a loss of innocence. -
Mozart, The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute, is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with a German story by Austrian actor and theatrical producer Emanuel Schikaneder. The music of The Magic Flute closely underscores the drama. Mozart used varied musical styles to depict his characters. Using music to reinforce personality allowed Mozart to create characters that continue to move modern audiences. Mozart's music emphasizes emotional expression which was a key concept of Romanticism. -
Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho
The Mysteries of Udolpho follows the fortunes and misfortunes of Emily St. Aubert after the death of her father. This novel is known for its inclusion of supernatural events and psychological terror, which Emily experiences after being held prisoner in a remote and crumbling Gothic castle. This novel relates to the Romantic emphasis of the exotic and mysterious. The novel also deals with the emotional and the irrational aspects of the human mind, another concern of Romanticism. -
J.M.W Turner, Fisherman at Sea
Fishermen at Sea allows for viewers to see the beauty in variance. While the painting is depicted at night, Turner allowed for the light of the moon to embody the entire canvas, without taking away from the effect of the lantern. The power of nature displayed was not available to the naked eye while out at sea, ensuring the beauty and fright of its capacity was on display. -
Wordsworth and Coleridge, Lyrical Ballads
Lyrical Ballads is a collection of poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge which is considered to be one of the initial pieces of Romantic literature. The poems are written in vernacular English in order to make them more accessible to average people. Most of the poems portray normal country people to propose the return to the purity of nature. In the preface to a later edition, Wordsworth also infamously defined poetry as the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” -
David d' Angers, The Death of Achilles
The French sculptor Pierre-Jean David d’Angers was known for his work honoring past heroes. This sculpture, which depicts the death of the famous Achilles is actually an example of Neoclassicism, which was still a prominent style used by sculptors early in the Romantic period. Neoclassic sculptures attempted to recreate the classic look of the creations from the ancient Greek era. Achilles was a famous Greek hero during the Trojan War and the main character of Homer’s Iliad. -
Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata
The Moonlight Sonata was structurally and stylistically remarkable in its day. Most sonatas during this time consisted of an animated first movement, a more-subdued second movement, and a vibrant final movement. The Moonlight Sonata, by contrast, offers a dreamy first movement, a somewhat livelier second movement, and a final movement that is outright tempestuous. Beethoven's composition reflects the Romantic celebration of originality and experimentation with traditional forms. -
Goya, The Colossus
Goya’s The Colossus is a perfect example of his romantic imagination. Against a lowering sky stands an absolutely colossal man. He appears to be striding away from us towards the front left of the picture. A range of hills is level with his upper thighs, giving us an idea of how massive he is, as do the low clouds, around his thighs and buttocks. Interestingly, he appears to have his eyes closed. If so, he may symbolize the idea of blind violence. -
Fonthill Abbey
James Wyatt's Fonthill Abbey’s architectural style drew its inspiration from medieval architecture and competed with the Neoclassical revivals in the United States and Great Britain. The construction during the Romantic period modeled that of the Gothic structures from the medieval era of history. The Gothic revival in architecture during this time included buildings that were massive in size but drew attention in the details. -
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s work is an epistolary novel that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a hideous monster in an unusual scientific experiment that involves composing the creature out of the body parts of dead people. The novel contains many elements of the Romantic Movement and is considered to be the first example of the science fiction genre. In particular, the novel deals with the grotesque and serves as a caution against the scientific focus of the Enlightenment. -
Schubert, Symphony No. 8
Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8 is considered to be one of his most beautiful compositions. This symphony is also commonly known as the Unfinished Symphony because Schubert started it in 1822 but never completed it beyond two movements. Only a few fragments of additional movements survive today. Schubert's Symphony is also sometimes referred to as the first truly Romantic symphony due to its emphasis on lyrical impulse and its dramatic structure and form that differs from the Classical form. -
The Royal Pavilion
Differing from the typical Gothic style of architecture during the Romantic period, the Royal Pavilion is of Indian design. This style of design focuses on the exotic heritage of the culture of India. The greatest example of this style was in the vibrant colors used throughout the palace. Built as the seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, it has also served as a civic building and First World War hospital. -
Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People
In this painting, the figure of Liberty dominates the composition, as she leads the charging people and tramples over the corpses beneath them. She also commands attention from the observer. The brightly colored flag she handles forces the eye directly to the center of the canvas. The red, a direct diagonal to a half-naked corpse, floats just over the revolutionists. This painting by Delacroix is one of the most famous depictions and celebrations of the French Revolution. -
Lyndhurst Mansion
Lyndhurst Mansion was shaped during more than a century by three families, as the main house was transformed from a country villa “in the pointed style” to a Gothic mansion in 1830. The grounds survive as an outstanding example of 19th-century landscape design with sweeping lawns accented with shrubs and specimen trees. The curving entrance drive reveals “surprise” views such as the angular repetition of the Gothic roofline. -
Preault, The Killing
Antoine-Augustin Préault was the protege of David d'Angers and most noted for his Romantic sculptures. The Killing is a bronze sculpture that depicts different figures ripping each other apart. This sculpture is both daring and nightmarish which reflects the emphasis of the Romantic period. Préault's sculpture also reflects his preoccupation with movement and of his passionate concern with the immense, and the unpleasant, which are also emphasized in many pieces of art in this period. -
Rude, Departure of the Volunteers
The Departure of the Volunteers by Francois Rude was created as a piece to adorn the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This work portrays liberty as a goddess urging on and leading the forces of the French Revolution. This piece is considered to be Rude's greatest masterpiece, and it was created based on the painting Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix. Overall, the sculpture is intense, emotional, and full of drama and movement. -
Barye, Lion and Serpent
Antoine-Louis Barye’s work focuses on animals in particular. Before creating his sculptures, Barye often studied the animals at the Paris zoo. Most of Barye’s works consist of single animals or predatory animals. The Lion and the Serpent depicts two very powerful and realistic creatures, which reflects the Romantic appreciation for the natural world. This sculpture is also emotional as it portrays the brutal and cruel nature of animals who are driven by instinct rather than rationality. -
Constable, Hampstead Heath
Constable’s admiration with panoramic views was evident in his paintings. In Hampstead Heath, Constable allows for his viewers to see the detail of what is close in the picture, while feeling enamored with the beauty of what lays beyond. His ability to capture the difference in terrains and colors allow for viewers to expand their view of the world. This painting emphasizes the Romantic notion of the beauty and the sublime in nature as well. -
Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 2
Frederic Chopin’s Piano Sonata is considered to be one of the greatest piano sonatas in history, and Chopin drew inspiration from Bach and Beethoven. The third movement in particular is referred to as the Funeral March and was composed at least two years before the rest of the work. The Funeral March alone has remained one of Chopin’s most popular compositions and is still performed at funerals. This piece has become known as the quintessential representation of the notion of death. -
Palace of Westminster
After being destroyed in a fire, the Palace of Westminster was rebuilt in the Gothic style by Charles Barry who was careful to combine old and new styles of architecture. In his design, Barry creates balance with the horizontal bands and with the vertical turrets. The Palace, which now houses the English Parliament is also awe inspiring with its steep pitched iron roof and intricate details. This building is one of the greatest examples of Gothic revival used during the Romantic period. -
Poe, Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque
Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque is a collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. This collection includes Poe’s well-known story “The Fall of the House of Usher,” which deals with the themes of madness and isolation and is set in a crumbling Gothic castle. Most of the tales in the collection attempt to unsettle the reader by presenting instances of psychological and physical terror and horror, which follows the Romantic preoccupation with the grotesque, mysterious, and irrational. -
Wagner,Tannhäuser
Tannhäuser is a three act opera composed by Richard Wagner. It is based on two different German legends, namely Tannhäuser, the legendary medieval German musician and poet, and the tale of his participation in a song contest. The story centers on the struggle of sacred love and redemption through that love. This is a theme Wagner includes in most of his work. Tannhäuser also combines mythological elements and a medieval setting which was typical of Romantic operas during this time. -
Woolner, Puck
Puck is a miniature statue created out of plaster by the sculptor Thomas Woolner. This sculpture depicts the troublesome fairy, Puck, from Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream as he is about to catch an unsuspecting frog that sits on top of a mushroom. Woolner portrays Puck’s mischievous nature through his body language and facial expression. Ultimately, as a creature of fantasy, Puck relays the Romantic appreciation for the mysterious, the grotesque, as well as the imagination. -
Emily Brontë Wuthering Heights
This novel was published near the end of the Romantic period and is one of the best examples of Gothic literature. It tells of the tumultuous relationship between a former orphan, Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, the daughter of the man who adopts Heathcliff. It is set on a mysterious estate in the remote English countryside. The novel provides an unusually stark depiction of mental and physical cruelty and like most pieces of Romantic art favors the irrational, emotional, and mysterious.
