Romanticism appeared in Germany and United Kingdom from the late 18th to the first 19th century. And it is a kind of modern literary thought which prevailed in France during the 19th century. The romanticism's aim is opposite to the “logic”. Its main characteristic is to emphasize the personal sentiment expression with less form. It is constraint but free and wild. The romance meaning from French is emotional and sentimental.
The romanticism from the painting is opposite to the classicism. The official school is as the representative of it. Its feature: focusing on individual performance; Indulging in fantasy and exaggeration, selecting the amazing events as theme; emotional agitation.
The romanticism representative paintings is The Raft of the Medusa, Dante and Virgil, The Massacre at Chios, La Liberté guidant le people.
The Lady of Shalott
The romanticism in literature and arts is to emphasize the feature of illusion originally. But the first painting from French romanticism in the first 19th century is using the most naturalistic skill to express the most urgent realistic theme. It explains that a new thought and school always appear followed by the need of reality. It always plant in the real life if it can stand.
Enthusiasm is the element of romanticism arts. It can be the content for the romanticism with the theme of current affairs. Firstly, the passion prevailed in the painting which obeys the old ways. The composition of the picture, light, color, the dynamic and expression for the people all express the rich imagination for the artists. But the most precious thing is that romantic imagination is built at the deep awareness of the reality. What its wildness and passion is to connect with our positive ideal of life together. So it can be deep into people's heart and have a strong art power.
