Romanticism: Art and Architecture in the 19th Century
The Art of Romance
Following Napoleon’s fall and the establishment of Restoration political regimes, Europe sought to erase all traces of the French Revolution. This period saw the rise of Romanticism, a cultural movement where artists aimed to reclaim revolutionary principles in their art.
Romantic Architecture
Romantic architecture primarily focused on the Gothic style.
Key Figures in Romantic Architecture
- Labrouste, E. (1801-1875): Designed the National Library in Paris, reminiscent of medieval structures.
- Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879): A French architect and theorist specializing in medieval buildings, castles, and cathedrals.
- Augustus Pugin (1812-1852) and Charles Barry (1795-1860): Designed the British Parliament in a distinct Gothic style.
Romantic Sculpture
Romantics generally did not value sculpture as an art form. Théophile Gautier (1811-1872), a poet, critic, and novelist, wrote, “Of all the arts, the least suited to express the romantic idea is sculpture. Everything in the sculptor is necessarily classical.”
Notable Sculptors
- François Rude: Created La Marseillaise (1833-1836), depicting volunteers in 1792. The sculpture features a figure leading a group of men into battle.
Romantic Painting
General Characteristics:
- Rejection of Neoclassical conventions, particularly those of Jacques-Louis David.
- Revival of color over precise drawing, releasing forms and defined limits.
- Return to vibrant lighting.
- Dynamic compositions with dramatic gestures and convulsive poses.
- Emphasis on landscape.
- Themes of political revolutions and disasters.
Key Painters and Works
- Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): The Raft of the Medusa (1818-1819), depicting the aftermath of the French frigate Medusa’s shipwreck off the coast of Senegal in 1816. The captain and officers took the lifeboats, leaving the crew and passengers on a makeshift raft. Of the 150 people who remained, only 15 survived after thirteen days adrift.
- Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863):
- The Massacre at Chios (1824): Reflects the Greek War of Independence against the Turks, a cause embraced by Romantics. It portrays the brutal repression of the inhabitants of Chios by the Turkish army.
- Liberty Leading the People (1830): Also known as The Barricade, it depicts the revolt in Paris in 1830. A woman, symbolizing freedom, wears a Phrygian cap and waves the French flag, leading the people forward.
Romantic Painting in Germany
- Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840): Known for his almost religious appreciation of nature. Notable work: The Wreck of Hope (1821), with a similar theme to The Raft of the Medusa.
English Landscape Painting
- John Constable (1776-1838): Considered one of the first modern landscape painters. Despite initial lack of success in England, his ability to capture the English skies and the effects of light on water is now highly regarded. Salisbury Cathedral is a recurring theme in his work.
- Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851): Known for his flamboyant style and free use of color, often preferring watercolor to oil. His work, such as Rain, Steam, and Speed, features diluted forms and a strong emphasis on light.