ROMANTIC ART

1780 - 1850

Romanticism was a reaction against the industrial revolution that was gathering steam. The artists of this time celebrated emotion, sometimes bordering on the mystical. They often abandoned classical drawing and proportions to make paintings more impassioned. Broad landscapes and dramatic scenes were a staple. 

Surprisingly, romantic love was not the driving force behind Romanticism. Rather, individualism gave it life. It was a romanticized view of humanity in an increasingly industrialized civilization. In a way, it revived spiritualism as a driving force in art; Romantics celebrated a deeply spiritual connection to nature. After the Revolutionary War, Romantic artists were perfectly in tune with the freedom movements sweeping through America and Europe. To place Fragonard’s, "The Swing," next to David’s, "The Death of Marat," and Delacroix’s, "Liberty Leading the People," is to understand the arc of history from before the American Revolution to just before the Civil War. A period of spirited independence in history and art, alike.

THE ANCIENTS

A small group of Romantic artists had a profound effect on the future of modern art. These were a brotherhood of artists who pledged fealty to ancient art and used their imaginations as subject matter. They were inspired by William Blake, a headstrong poet and artist who mastered the art of “Illuminated Printing” to create engraved works combining words with images. He had visions throughout his life and made them the focus of his art. Although he refused to compromise his art for any commercial purpose, his views had a profound effect on art movements extending through the middle of the 20th Century. 

“The Ancients” were an odd lot, often dressing in monk’s robes and meeting frequently at the home of their leader, Samuel Painter in southern England.