Transcript Romanticism
Romanticism in 19th Century Europe The life of Europeans as seen through their literature, music, images, and architecture Wanderer above the sea by Caspar David Friedrich What is Romanticism? • The Enlightenment didn’t work: it caused more • • violence. The old social order is no good: it led to the troubles of the Industrial Revolution. The people turned to ROMANTICISM: – Rejecting established rules and conventions. – Refusing to accept rigid standards on form and expression. – Focusing on the emotional elements of humanity. The Effect of Romanticism • Socialists, atheists, revolutionaries, and Christians all supported romanticism. • Themes covered nature, the Middle Ages, or even exotic lands. Romantic Music Beethoven Chopin Schumann “Music to me is the perfect expression of the soul” Schumann Robert Schumann • He began his adult life studying Law but • • • dropped out. He took up piano. He studied with Frederick Wick and ended up marrying his daughter, Clara, who was a composer (although not a profession open to women). Later in his life, he became ill, started having hallucinations, and attempted suicide. He ended up in an asylum and died two years later. His compositions • He is most noted for the purist form of romanticism. • His music is expressive, full of emotion. • His favorite theme was love, especially love from a woman’s perspective. • He was known as “Poet of the Piano.” Comparing Periods • Classical Period – – – – – – Seeks Order Seeks Poise Seeks Serenity Objectively views life Moderation Emotion is controlled • Romantic Period – – – – – Seeks Strangeness Seeks Wonder Seeks Ecstacy Intensely subjective All about the personal perspective Romanticism in Literature William Blake Songs of Innocence and Experience INFANT JOY ``I have no name: I am but two days old.'' What shall I call thee? ``I happy am, Joy is my name.'' Sweet joy befall thee! Pretty joy! Sweet joy but two days old, Sweet joy I call thee: Thou dost smile, I sing the while, Sweet joy befall thee! INFANT SORROW My mother groan'd! my father wept. Into the dangerous world I leapt: Helpless, naked, piping loud: Like a fiend hid in a cloud. Struggling in my father's hands, Striving against my swadling bands, Bound and weary I thought best To sulk upon my mother's breast. Mary Shelley Frankenstein 1. What is Frankenstein’s reaction to his creation? 2. What is the theme of Frankenstein? 3. What does this excerpt tell us about the period? George Sand, page 144-145 Romantic Architecture • Inspired by the Middle Ages, there was a gothic revival • Gothic architecture included ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and flying buttresses • Pages 150-151 Ribbed Vault Flying Buttress Pointed Arches Romantic Paintings Romantic Visual Art • Revival of ancient myths, customs and traditions by Romanticist painters helped to distinguish their native cultures from those of the dominant nations. • Patriotism, nationalism, revolution and armed struggle for independence also became popular themes in the arts of this period. A Painting as a Primary Source 1. What is the subject of the painting? OR What 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. scene is depicted in the painting? Describe the setting of the painting. Describe what is taking place in the painting. What is the artist’s theme? What is the tone or mood of the painting? Choose one of the main characters in the painting, and write 2-5 sentences of what that character is thinking or saying in the painting. Other Isms • Nationalism • Patriotism • Realism • Liberalism • Anarchism • Darwinism