Why Romantic artists were rebels?

Rebels of a new generation

Romanticism was the anithesis of Neoclassicism. The Enlightenment and its revived ideals from Graeco-Roman cultures gave birth to the Neoclassical art, all of which were rejected by the Romantics. It was a matter of freedom from classical restraints -a matter of trusting the heart, rather than the mind. The Neoclassical style emphasized order and reason, while Romanticism focused on feelings. The stoic, statue-like faces in Neoclassic paintings were incapable of showing feelings that the Romantic artists conveyed in facial expressions in their paintings. You’ll find heroism in Neoclassical paintings, but in the Romantic ones, artists do not attempt to conceal human vulnerability, and proneness to violence or nature’s fury. Classical (Greek and Roman) mythology, the main influence on Neoclassical art, was still featured in Romantic paintings as in “Liberty Leading the People” by Eugène Delacroix (here), nevertheless artists favored local folklore.

A common feature in Romantic art is visible brushstrokes, which would have been unacceptable in the Neoclassical tradition that pursues perfection. Beyond technique, the Romantics also rebelled against the political art of the Neoclassical period with a style that celebrates nature. Themes glorifying virtues like bravery and loyalty were replaced with morbid and mystical themes. Eventually, Romanticism came to an end because it lacked the coherence and wide support of the Enlightenment movement, but it never completely disappeared. In fact, today’s postmodern suspicious view of science and reason has its roots in Romanticism. We attempt to escape our technological world by seeking a refuge in spirituality (traditional or New-Agey), mystical experiences or just nature exploration.