Romanticism• Artists who felt limited by Neoclassicism, began creating more

emotional artwork giving rise to Romanticism.

• Named after the revival of interest in medieval stories like King Arthur – heroic stories referred to as “romances.”

• Sometimes inspired by current events, particularly tragedies.

• Also inspired by Africa and the Orient.

• Shows a respect for nature and a desire for a simpler time, before industrialism.

• Characterized by colour, emotion, content and passion.

• This movement is also in poetry (eg. Wordsworth and Keats) and Music (eg. Beethoven and Schubert).

29. Francisco Goya. Saturn Devouring one of his Sons. (1819-23) Oil on canvas.

• Goya was a rebel & libertarian – opposed to tyranny of all kinds

• worked as a court painter for King Charles IV of Spain

• saw the vices of both church and state

• many of his works focus on social protest

• came to hate humanity – saw only the brutalities of war / torture

• late career – created these “black paintings” focused on violence and his dark imagination

• this piece is based on Classical Mythology – Saturn tries to prevent a prophecy about one of his son’s taking his place (ultimately Jupiter / Zeus overthrows him)

30. Henry Fuseli. The Nightmare. (1781) Oil on canvas.

• iconic image of horror

• shows a demon and a horse to represent the “nightmare”

• might be an allegory of disappointment if the model is the artist’s love: Anna Landolt

31. Eugene Delacroix. Liberty Leading the People. (1830) Oil on canvas.

• Delacroix was one of the most successful Romantic painters after Gericault

• subject: the French Revolution of 1789 (Bourgeoisie uprising)

• the number three is symbolic = the French flag, 3 rebels, 3 guns, use of triangular composition

• chiaroscuro used

• shows energy and activity – hope for a promising future

32. John Nash. Royal Pavilion. Brighton. (1815-1818)

• Borrowed ideas from other times and cultures

• This building meant to be summer home for King George IV of England

• Inspired by Islamic domes and minarets, also contains interior spaces in the styles of Greek, Egyptian, Chinese and Gothic art.