Romantic Era

 Romanticism and Realism 

The society in which a work of art is produced can be seen in that work. The Romanticism and Realism are two distinct styles in art history that reflect the changing societal values and beliefs. While Romanticism was characterized by a focus on emotions, individualism, and the supernatural, Realism emphasized the objective representation of reality and social critique. 

The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw the Romantic era, a period of significant artistic and cultural change. The emphasis on passion, imagination, and individualism throughout this time generated numerous outstanding pieces of art that showcase these principles. "Madame Moitessier" by Jean Auguste Dominique and "The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli are two examples of similar works. These two works of art, which represent the Romantic period, exhibit a variety of stylistic characteristics that characterize the time.

Madam Moitessier painted by Jean Auguste Dominique in 1851 and now resides in the National Gallery of Art Washington DC

The Nightmare painted by Henery Fuseli in 1781 and now resides in the Detroit Institute of Art

The use of light and shadow to add depth and drama to the paintings is the first artistic component I noticed. The woman's features are highlighted in "Madame Moitessier" by the clever use of light, emphasizing both her beauty and elegance. The painting is made up of a variety of tones and shades that give it depth and dimension. A similar use of shadow to evoke dread and mystery may be seen in "The Nightmare." The painting's eerie atmosphere, which is enhanced by the black background and shadowy horse figure, contributes to its overall emotional impact. The use of light and shadow in both paintings adds to the overall mood and ambiance of the pieces and is a testament to the effectiveness of visual storytelling.

The use of symbolism to express meaning and emotion is the second artistic component I'd like to talk about. We see a variety of symbols in "Madame Moitessier" that refer to the social and cultural ideals of the Romantic period. For instance, the woman's outfit is embellished with pricey fabrics and elaborate lace to represent her riches and rank. Similar symbolism is used in "The Nightmare" to evoke feelings of dread and anxiety. For instance, the horse is a representation of strength and power, but in this painting, it has a more menacing appearance, signifying the fears and anxieties that plague us all. The inclusion of symbolism in both paintings gives the pieces depth and complexity, enabling the audience to delve further into their topics.

The third aspect of art is the use of color to evoke feeling and mood. The use of delicate, subdued hues in "Madame Moitessier" contributes to the painting's overall feeling of refinement and elegance. The combination of cool blues and greens provides a sense of tranquility and serenity, while warmer hues like gold and pink bring a touch of warmth and intimacy to the piece. Similar to this, "The Nightmare" makes use of deep, rich hues that heighten the drama and intensity of the work. Dark blues and purples are used to convey mystery and intrigue, and red is used to infuse the piece with a sense of passion and danger. A testament to the effectiveness of visual storytelling is the use of color in both paintings, which enables the artist to express mood and emotion in a way that words alone are unable to do.

When I view these two pieces, I believe the intent of the artists derived from the chaos of the French Revolution and their style was to elicit a dreamy state of mind that plays on fantasy, whether that be of beauty or terror. These two artists were able to produce works of art that embody the spirit of the Romantic period and still inspire and engage audiences now through the use of light and shadow, symbolism, and color. 

"The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins and "The Iron Mill" by Adolph Menzel, hold three artistic components that are distinct from the Romantic era and are found in the Realist era.

The Gross Clinic painted by Thomas Eakins in 1875 and now resides in the Philidelphia Museum of Art

The Iron Rolling Mill painted by Adolph Menzel in 1872-1875 and now resides in the Berlin, Germany at the Staatliche Museen

The use of chiaroscuro is the first aspect of art that sets the Realist era apart from the Romantic era. Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique that involves the use of great contrasts between light and dark to give the appearance of depth and volume. In "The Gross Clinic," Eakins used chiaroscuro to produce a dramatic effect. Strong shadows are produced on the figures' faces by the light source, which is in the upper left corner. The shadows convey a sense of depth and reality, underlining the intense concentration of the medical team on the surgery. The use of chiaroscuro in Realist paintings gives a realistic picture of the subject, emphasizing the hardness and cruelty of life.

The second aesthetic feature that distinguishes the Realist era from the Romantic age is the focus on ordinary life. Realist artists portrayed everyday people going about their daily lives as opposed to the heroic and paranormal subjects of the Romantic era. In Menzel's "The Iron Mill," he illustrates the industrial revolution's influence on the working class. Menzel represents the factory workers in their tough and tedious employment. He underlines the dark and unclean environment and the lack of safety measures for workers. Menzel's painting is a critique of industrialization and its impact on the working class. Instead of focusing on the heroic and romanticized subjects of the past, this realistic depiction of daily life emphasizes the social and political challenges of the present.

The use of a subdued color scheme is the third aspect of art that sets the Realist era apart from the Romantic era. To emphasize the realism of their subjects, realist artists frequently used a limited palette of hues. Eakins uses a subdued color scheme in "The Gross Clinic" to highlight the gravity and realism of the surgical procedure. Realist paintings emphasize the harshness and grime of everyday life by using a muted color palette.

In conclusion, the Realist era varied from the Romantic era in several aspects, including the use of chiaroscuro, the focus on ordinary life, and the use of a muted color palette. Realist artists aspired to portray a realistic representation of society, emphasizing its harshness and social difficulties. The paintings "The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins and "The Iron Mill" by Adolph Menzel serve as examples of the artistic characteristics of the Realist era. These potent criticisms of contemporary social and political situations highlight the significance of art as a window onto society.

Out of these two styles which is more appealing to you?

Bibliography

Artst. n.d. 11 Most Famous Realism Artists. https://www.artst.org/famous-romanticism-artists/.

—. n.d. 11 Most Famous Romanticism Artists. https://www.artst.org/famous-romanticism-artists/.

National Gallery of Art. n.d. Madame Moitessier, 1851. https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.32696.html.

Paulson, Dr. Noelle. 2015. Smary History The Center for Public Art History. https://smarthistory.org/henry-fuseli-the-nightmare/.

Philadelphia Museum of Art. n.d. Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross (The Gross Clinic). https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/299524.

Wojtczak, Kate. 2022. Masterpiece Story: The Iron Rolling Mill (Modern Cyclopes) by Adolph Menzel. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/adolph-menzel-the-iron-rolling-mill/.