The Romantic Movement spread from art into literature and philosophy. It emphasized emotional, spontaneous and imaginative approaches. In the visual arts, Romanticism came to signify the departure from classical forms and an emphasis on emotional and spiritual themes. Caused by the sudden social changes that occurred during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, Romanticism was formed as a revolt against Neoclassicism and its emphasis on order, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality. Romanticism began in Germany and England in the 1770’s, and had spread throughout Europe by the 1820’s. Not long after, its influence had spread overseas to the United States.

The movement focused on imagination, emotion, and freedom by way of subjectivity and individualism. Artists believed in spontaneity, freedom from boundaries and rules, and living a solitary life free from societal boundaries. Romantic artists believed that imagination was superior to reason and beauty. They loved and worshipped nature and were dedicated to examining human personality and moods. Romantics were inherently curious, investigating folk cultures, ethnic origins, the medieval era. They admired the genius and the hero, focusing on one’s passion and inner struggle. Romantics also were interested in anything exotic, mysterious, remote, occult, and satanic. As a movement that began as an artistic and intellectual movement that rejected the traditional values of social structure and religion, it encouraged individualism, emotions, and nature.

Artists held personal spirit and creativity above formal training and saw the artistic process as a transcendental journey and spiritual awakening. Romantic techniques were developed to produce associations in the mind of the viewer. These foundations of the Romantic Movement were influential in the development of Symbolism and later Expressionism and Surrealism.

Artists: (biography & artworks) Related Paintings Reproductions

Allston, Washington - 1779 - 1843
Barye, Antoine-Louis - 1796 - 1875
Benoist, Marie-Guillemine - 1768 - 1826
Blake, William - 1757 - 1827
Bonington, Richard Parkes - 1802 - 1828
Constable, John - 1776 - 1837
Crome, John - 1768 - 1821
Dahl, Johan Christian - 1788 - 1857
Delacroix, Eugene - 1798 - 1863
Delaroche, Paul - 1797 - 1856
Dore, Gustave - 1832 - 1883
Friedrich, Caspar David - 1774 - 1840
Fromentin, Eugene - 1820 - 1876
Fuseli, Henry - 1741 - 1825
Gericault, Theodore - 1791 - 1824
Hackert, Jacob Philippe - 1737 - 1807
Hayez, Francesco - 1791 - 1882
Hodgkins, Frances - 1869 - 1947
Kiprensky, Orest - 1782 - 1836
Linnell, John - 1792 - 1882
Martin, John - 1789 - 1854
Menzel, Adolf von - 1815 - 1905
Mulready, William - 1786 - 1863
Palmer, Samuel - 1805 - 1881
Pforr, Franz - 1788 - 1812
Rude, Francois - 1784 - 1855
Runciman, Alexander - 1736 - 1785
Runge, Philipp Otto - 1777 - 1810
Schinkel, Karl Friedrich - 1781 - 1841
Waldmüller, Ferdinand Georg - 1793 - 1865
Ward, William - 1766 - 1826