Romanticism is an artistic movement typical of the first half of the European 19th century. It emerged in Germany and Great Britain and soon expanded beyond their borders. Its irruption must be framed in a historical moment in which absolutism as a form of government had ceased to be hegemonic and, as a consequence, new values emerged in society (especially those that inspired the French Revolution). While in the eighteenth century the ideals of the Enlightenment prevail, the predominance of reason and concern for humanity, the spirit of Romanticism advocates feelings, the subjective and the individual.
The ideals of Romanticism permeated areas such as painting, literature, music or philosophy. At the same time, this movement had a notable influence on fashion, customs, politics and, in general, on the way of understanding life.
Main topics
Nature acquires a singular role among romantics. In fact, gloomy and melancholic landscapes communicate the moods of the creators (Friedrich's painting "The Lonely Tree" is a clear example of German romantic painting).
The vindication of the unique spirit of each people is another of the axes of this movement (the German philosopher Hegel defended the existence of the spirit of a nation, an idea that had a notable influence on different European nationalist movements). It is possible to speak of a romantic conception of the world, which is manifested in a feeling of dissatisfaction, in the exaltation of the self and in a disagreement with reality in general.
The exaltation of feelings is another of his characteristic themes, which can be exemplified with "The Hymn of Joy" by Beethoven (considered the first romantic musician) or Bécquer's love poems.
There is an attraction to the popular and the folkloric, a trend that we can find in the tales of the Brothers Grimm. On the other hand, some French and English romantic travelers were interested in Spanish popular culture (Andalusian folklore, banditry or bullfighting).
They bet on the irrational to overcome the rigidity of eighteenth-century rationalism (Coleridge's poem "The Ballad of the Old Mariner" describes the story of sailors involved in sinister events).
There is an interest in the classical world, the Eastern world and the Middle Ages. The romantic creator evades modern society and seeks the exoticism of other cultures and the recreation of other times. So did the novelist Walter Scott in his description of the Middle Ages in Scotland or the painter Delacroix in his penchant for themes of Eastern culture.
Freedom is the ideal that inspires most romantics. Examples that illustrate this statement can be found in the story of William Tell told by Friedrich Schiller, in the "Ode to Freedom" by the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin or Delacroix's famous painting "Liberty Leading the People".
A profile of the romantic man
The romantic man is essentially nonconformist and rebellious, so he engages in political activities or tries to flee from the reality that surrounds him. He is also an adventurer, as he likes to travel and see other worlds. He is also a sensitive person and guided by passion and love. He is attracted to the dark side of life (cemeteries, death, and mystery).
Cinema and romanticism
Many films are framed in the romantic period, or inspired by its spirit and its main themes. Horror movies have been based on romantic characters like Dracula, Frankenstein or some of Edgar Allan Poe's stories. The world of pirates on the big screen also reminds us of some romantic poems (for example, "The pirate's song" by Espronceda). Emily Bronte's novel "Wuthering Heights" has been adapted for film on several occasions and is a compendium of the ideals of romanticism (melancholy, rebellion, freedom and the exaltation of the individual).
Photos: iStock - George Standen / Milenko Bokan
