Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byTrevor Fox Modified over 9 years ago
1
A comparison of Enlightenment and Romanticism Thought
2
The Enlightenment, (Liberalism or Neo- Classicism) was an outgrowth of the ideas of the philosophes Advocated for reason, logic and common sense Stressed order, harmony and emotional restraint Romanticism, (Conservatism and Idealism) was a reaction to the philosophes It emphasized feelings, imagination, emotions and inuition
3
Jean-Jacques Rousseau “I know the feelings of my heart, and I know men. I am not made like any of those I have seen. I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence. If I am not better, at least I am different.” Confessions, 1781 Eccentricity is okay
4
on nature and the natural world... The universe is giant mechanical clock with all parts working harmoniously and simultaneously Man's passions are not good and must be subordinated to social rules Deism – saw God as “the Great Planner” who assembled the Universe, wound it up and leaves it alone. Criticized “mechanism” -fitting all people into a mechanical framework diminished their unique individuality Machines are “soul-less” - without souls/spirit Nature is “The Sublime” -lofty, noble & majestic Pantheism-the presence of God in nature
5
on scientific rationalism... use the scientific method to discover and understand the natural world and Man. “the scientific method crushes emotions, feelings and impedes creativity.” … Lord Byron
6
William Blake “The Reasoning Power of Man is an incrustation (scab) over my immortal spirit.”
7
on the classical world... use the Greek and Roman achievements in the arts as examples of perfection to be studied and emulated Follow established norms Conformity in society “We do not want either Greek or Roman models, but should be just true to our own imaginations.” …Victor Hugo
8
on Christianity... rejected Christianity and all religions for their reliance on faith and superstition… “miracles” defy reason and logic viewed God as a spiritual force that inspired people and enriched life.
9
on the Middle Ages... “The Dark Ages” a period of decay and ignorance in which superstition and fanaticism reigned Medieval institutions and traditions stopped human progress “An Age of Faith” - a time of deep religious faith that nurtured social harmony
10
on the concept of history... it provided examples of human folly in the past and helped people prepare for a better future. “each historical period is unique to a given time, place and people with its own soul…zeitgeist.” Georg W.F. Hegel
11
on imagination... it distorts reason and ignores common sense the imagination of the individual should determine the content and shape of man’s creations and self-expression
12
William Wordsworth “…imagination and feelings, not mathematics and logic, yield the highest truth.”
13
“I am certain of nothing but of the holiness of my heart’s affections and the truth of imagination.” John Keats
14
on human feelings... feelings are an obstacle to clear thinking and hide the truth. feelings are the avenue to truth-spontaneous human emotions reveal the inner self.
15
The approach to literature rules and formulas were introduced for the perfect play, poem or piece of music 26 rules for tragedy 25 rules for comedy 24 rules for epic poetry Express yourself, listen to your inner voice. you can’t learn to write poetry from a textbook
16
Victor Hugo, 1802-1885 “Freedom in our art!... Let us take a hammer to the theories, to the rules and the formulas ….” American Romanticists - Edgar Allen Poe Walt Whitman James Fenimore Cooper Nathaniel Hawthorne
17
on folk and cultural traditions... the philosophes ridiculed and dismissed folk traditions as peasant superstitions which stood in the way of human progress Romanticists viewed native languages, songs and legends as the unique creations of a people and their deepest expressions of national feelings. folk traditions were the spiritual force of a people’s identity and creativity.
18
on works of art... to attempt to portray, as accurately as possible, the subject and it’s surrounding environment. Greek and Roman subjects Used as propaganda, to teach or inform Paintings are not mere imitations of nature but authentic and spontaneous expressions of the artist's feelings, intuition, fantasies and dreams
19
> calm grandeur > noble simplicity > realistic detail >contrived, stage- like and stiff – frozen in time > figures are solid but immobile The Death of Socrates
20
Achilles receives the ambassadors of Agamemnon
21
Napoleon crossing the St. Bernard Pass
22
Napoleon Crossing the Alps
23
Hamlet at the gravesite of Yurick
24
Tintern Abbey (A Gothic ruin in Wales)
25
Raft of the Medusa, 1819, Gericault
26
Boat in a Maelstrom
27
Saturday Afternoon, Constable
28
Monticello, Jefferson 1784
29
Nuschwanstein Castle, Ludwig II, 1864
30
Any Questions?
31
a self-quiz…
32
The Oath of the Horatii
33
Zeus and Thetis
34
Liberty Leading the People, Delacroix 1830
35
Town On A River, Schinkel 1815
36
Palace de Pena, Portugal
37
Palacio de Pena
38
The Sabine Women, David
39
Vergil Reading to Augustus, Ingres
40
A Mountain Stream
41
The Boatmaker, Constable
42
U.S. Capitol
43
Any Questions?
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.