The early Romantic period thus coincides with what is often called the “age of revolutions,” including the American (1776) and the French (1789) revolutions and also the initial transformations of the Industrial Revolution.
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The early Romantic period thus coincides with what is often called the “age of revolutions,” including the American (1776) and the French (1789) revolutions and also the initial transformations of the Industrial Revolution. As such, Regina wrote, “In the 19th century a wave of romantic nationalism swept the European continent transforming its countries.” In other words, I don’t think it is a coincidence that the Romantic Era popped up when it did.
Feelings of nationalism allowed these artists to express what people were really thinking. Taslin agreed, saying, “The Age of Revolution meant that people were for a lack of a better word, fighting for what they wanted or freedom and exploring new ideas.” Two of the best examples I can think of in this regard are the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Romantics were very much into expressing exactly what was on their minds at all times, i.e. brutal honesty. Riham wrote, “It was honest to the point that its topics were sometimes criticized for going against societal behavior.” This point especially applies to Goya, who would go from jolly and light-hearted in one painting to deeply pessimistic and angry in others.
The angry side is very much depicted in his 85-print “Disasters of War” series, that are both compelling and sinister in their bloody depiction of the reality of war. Going against acceptable societal behavior is also something that describes Rousseau, often called the father of Romanticism. As a philosopher, Rousseau was anti-philosophy and anti-printing press…and could never give up his desire for exhibitionism and public spankings. Odd behavior aside, Rousseau was simply doing the same thing as Nationalist Goya, but on an individual level. Someone wrote, “Romanticism was counterpoint to the nationalism in French that had led to Unity of French people.” So is that how we finally reconcile the Romantics? By saying they represent our subconscious desires?
