THE ROMANTIC ERA: PREFERENCES AND PERSPECTIVES

 About The Romantic Era 

There were many events that influenced the Romantic Era. Politics, involving revolutionary events, and the economic system being the two biggest factors. The Romantic Era contains more than one romantic style of art due to the difficulty of categorizing the style of art. The style is not a "love" romance but is the attraction of the exotic, as well as a fascination with the unexplained. As one style emerges, a refinement of that style will counter it. The Romantic Era was not about "romance" but it was thought of as idealism in connection with Romanticism. In addition to an art style countering one another, Realism counteracted Romanticism as it applies to more real-life situations. 

Hudson River School

The Course of Empire: The Savage State, Thomas Cole (1834)

The Course of Empire: The Savage State was painted in 1834 by Thomas Cole, a British-American painter. This piece is a part of a five-painting series that's focused on the cycle of historical progress. Thomas wanted to modify landscape painting into a more celebrated style so this piece depicts the rise and fall of civilization, with the gloomy and terrifying storm representing the demise of the unspoiled world. Its difficult to identify the hunter in the painting but he represents an ideal state that will eventually be wiped out. I can see and feel what Thomas was going for in this painting through its elements. The digital version of the painting has been enhanced so the colors are more vibrant but the original colors are much more dark. Dark colors, tone, and shadowing emerges from the right side of the piece while the right side is bright and calm. The use of lighting in the piece makes the storm stand out the most. Thomas uses a mixture of brushstroke techniques to gain the textures and illusions that he's going for. The brushstrokes on the trees are uneven and rough, scumbling technique, to make the trees more detailed. 

Eaton's Neck, Long Island, John Frederick Kensett (1872)

The piece Eaton's Neck, Long Island was painted in 1872 by John Frederick Kensett, an American landscape painter and a member of the second generation of the Hudson River School. What John was going for in this piece was the sense of quite and balance. The land is surrounded by both the sea and sky, with no distractions. John was influenced by the works of 17th century Dutch landscape artists so this piece had the same elements as the 17th century works. He used the same colors patterns and familiar scenes. John went with a Luminist style with a smooth finish and concealed brushstrokes to represent a modern and simplified piece.  Unlike Thomas Cole's piece, John's piece has balance in colors as well as better blending. The horizontal and curved lines in the painting helps divide the sky, land, and sea. It also adds an illusion of depth and distance to the piece. The quiet and balance in this piece allowed an intimate encounter between the landscape and the audience. I can feel what John was going for though this painting. Most landscape paintings that have a large body of water will usually show tides but the sea in this piece is completely flat, showing a calm and quite hour. 

Both of these paintings (Kensett and Cole) are categorized under the influence of The Hudson River School are my least favorite pieces. Both pieces are extremely dramatic and everyday is "beautiful" in their paintings. Although these paintings are of real places, the atmosphere is not natural. Both artists will add details and use colors that is eye catching rather than the natural elements that is observed. 

Realists

Man with a Hoe, Jean-François Millet (1960-62)

The Man with a Hoe was painted approximately in 1860-1862 by Jean-François Millet, a French realism painter. The painting portrays an exhausted fieldworker with his hands and whole body weight rested on his hoe. The fieldworker's clothes and face are dirty as well. In the far distance, other laborers are clearing out other portions of land by burning grass and bushes. The purpose of this painting was to show dignity in the labors of man. The man is the main focus of the painting even when his posture is not balanced, the vertical lines of his hoe implies stability, balance, and strength. The horizontal lines in the painting separates the land from the sky, as well as enhancing strength and the impression of the fieldworker's stature. The artist uses diluted colors for the sky so the field at the bottom of the cavas would stand out more. It's not easily noticeable but the artist also used color as light in this piece. The shadow of the fieldworker is casted to the right, implying that light is shining from the left side. At first glance, I was able to guess what the message of the painting was. Although the man is exhausted and staring off into the distance, the only thing holding him up is his small tool, the tool that helps him make a living. The piece isn't heroic but the underlying message is extremely powerful. 

The Bathers, Gustave Courbet (1853)

The Bathers was painted in 1853 by Gustave Courbet, a French artist. Gustave's art insisted on the physical reality of the things he observed rather than classical and theatrical styles. The piece above is apart of the non-classical treatment of nudes. Gustave painted the two women exactly how he observed them, without any justification and additional details that weren't there. Gustave was trying to portray the subject that he was observing, despite the naked and fat meaningless gestures. He captured the women in their natural beauty and not the traditional tastes. I can feel and see Gustave's purpose of this piece. The women in other styles of paintings are usually "perfect", they meet the traditional standards of a slim shape and proper clothing. The color choice in this piece adds texture and a peaceful feeling to where the women were observed. Light was used as a spotlight to shine on the naked woman, the main subject of the piece. Many curve lines are used on the tress and on the body of the women. It enhances texture on the tress and natural physical features of the woman. 

The two pieces above (Millet and Courbet) are my favorite Realist style pieces. Both of the painting are painted as how they're observed so everything in the piece is original. I like that all the details are added into the painting and how the smallest details can express a powerful image. Depending on the piece, I enjoy the vibrant colors and how light is used promote the main subject. 

Citations

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "realism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/art/realism-art. Accessed 14 July 2023.

DiPalma, Jessica. “Thomas Cole Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2018, www.theartstory.org/artist/cole-thomas/.

Knudsen, Stephen. “Gustave Courbet Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2010, www.theartstory.org/artist/courbet-gustave/.

Seiferle, Rebecca. “Millet Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, 2017, www.theartstory.org/artist/millet-jean-francois/#pnt_6.

Seiferle, Rebecca. “The Hudson River School Overview.” The Art Story, 2017, www.theartstory.org/movement/hudson-river-school/.