19th Century Romantic Art

            Classical artists and romantic artists use different techniques when they paint.  

            Some basics of classical paintings include:

 

            1)  the use of  straight vertical and horizontal lines, rectangles 

 

             2)  clear, sharp edges around outlines of objects in the painting

             3)  a strong emphasis on light (bright, sunny skies). 

 

             These techniques express classical values of reason, calmness, contentment,

             confidence, courage, simplicity, order and stability.  

 

            Think of the simplicity of design in the vertical / horizonal lines of the ancient 

            Greek Parthenon, and consider the balance, strength confidence and endurance 

            it exudes.  Or how Michelangelo's David stands up straight (vertically), not 

            moving, projecting intelligence, calmness, courage and  confidence as he 

            awaits the giant Goliath.  Or how,  in Jacques-Louis David's The Death of 

            Socrates, as Socrates is about to commit suicide by government order, he 

            calms his distraught students by sitting up straight, arm bent at a right angle, 

            and calmly and courageously explains why it would be wrong of him to try to 

            escape.   

             Romantic artist are very much the opposite in technique and expression....

 

           1)  Instead of straight, horizonal and vertical lines, romantics use diagonal 

                lines, curved lines, and swirls.

 

           2)  The outlines of objects are often blurry

 

           3)  Often fog or dark skies, storms with tossing waves. 

  

                 These create atmospheres of apprehension, flux, confusion, despair,

                  violence, tragedy, other-worldliness, etc.  

        19th Century Romantic Paintings

                    Caspar David Friedrich  -  German

Eugene Delacroix  -  French

Théodore Géricault - French

Gustave Courbet  -  French