Summary:
Romanticism in Arts/ Romantic period
Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in
the late 18th century Western Europe. Of it's major themes - revolution,
individualism, nature, innocence/experience, nature was a recurrent theme
that was stressed with great importance. Stressing the importance of
"nature" in art and language, and music and poetry, was evident in a variety
of works. As we follow the theme of nature by examining its impact on a
variety of art forms, we will see how the individual imagination was viewed
as a critical authority which permitted freedom within classical notions on
art, music, and poetry.
Many examples of the importance of nature's theme in the Romantic
Period of music exist. One of the most compelling examples is in the area of
opera. In opera, a new Romantic atmosphere combining supernatural terror and
folklore was evolving as Carl Weber composed, "Der Freischutz." Weber's
works had a great influence on perhaps one of the most influential German
composers in all of opera, Richard Wagner. Wagner used nature in a creative
and dramatic way. Wagner's, "Der Ring des Nibelungen", often referred to as
the Ring cycle, is a set of four operas based on German and Scandinavian
mythology rich in the themes of nature, involving gods, heroes, mythical
creatures, mountains, magic rings, and gold. The opera, spanning 16 hours in
length, has been called the most abitious artistic works ever made.
Romanticism in literature has left many wonderful examples for us to
read. One British poet, in particular, who frequently used the theme of
nature in his works, is William Wordsworth. Wordsworth's personality and
poetry were deeply influenced by his love of nature, especially by the
sights and scenes of the Lake Country, where he spent most of his adult
life. Much of this love of nature is evident in his work written with Samuel
Taylor Coleridge, "Lyrical Ballads." It is in this work of art that we are
introduced to Wordsworth's "Tintern Abbey" and where many believe
Romanticism was introduced to England.
There are many great examples of how nature made it's way onto the
canvas of some of the greatest artists of all time during the Romantic
Period. One such example is the way in which artists such as Turner and
Constable used landscape to examine themes of natural wold and sense of
place. John Constable's beautiful use of nature's landscape and scenery are
evident in his famous masterpiece, "The Haywain." A vivid and breathtaking
use of nature in art is exhibited in Joseph Turner's,"the Junction of the
Thames and the Medway." There are many more works of art that these two
British artists have created with the central theme of nature as their
inspiration.
A deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature was a characteristic
attitude of Romanticism. It was seen as a central theme in art, literature,
and music. There are so many works of art that embody this theme and helps
us learn how the Romantic period really emphasized the individual, the
imagination, the emotional, and the visionary.
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