Romanticism

                Romanticism was a movement in literature, music, visual arts during the 19^th century.  This movement occurred due to enlightenment, a time when many wealthy class citizens talked of rights but did not do anything to secure these rights for lower class citizens.  They talked about the importance of majority but made decisions in favor of themselves, the minority.  Romantics wanted the enlightenment thinkers to take action on some of the ideas they discussed, such as giving people rights.  Romantics also argued against some of the ideas of the enlightenment thinkers.  Romantics thought that people cannot control nature, that not every decision should be intellectually based, that individuals are important, that not everything is beautiful, and that not everything always makes sense or is rational.  This goes against the beliefs and ideologies of the enlightenment thinkers.

The Turkish Patrol
1831
Oil on canvas, 115 x 179 cm
Wallace Collection, London

                This romantic piece of art is very emotional.  Two men are being chased by a group of men with guns and swords.  These men outnumber the two men running from them.  The group of men who are chasing the two have almost caught up with them as they run away.  The painting gives one the scary emotional feeling of being chased and hunted down.  To make the painting even more emotional, three women and a young child are watching the whole scene unfold.  It would be very scary and upsetting for the women to see this chase, and it would be emotionally scarring for the young child to watch men try to kill others.  This piece also highlights the importance of the individual.  The man on the horse is elevated in the picture and is painted in the most light.  He is also one of the only men wearing a bright, white turban.  This picture shows that the man in charge of the group chasing the other two men has the most power.  The other men in his group are following his lead.  Since he has the power in the group, he does not have to concern himself with actually attacking because the other men will do that for him.  This picture also shows an awe of nature.  The horse is the one piece of nature in the painting.  The horse is painted strong and fast.  The horse is at the front of the group about to attack the two men in front.  This painting is horrific as well.  Two men are being attacked by a horse and other men with guns and swords.  People are watching.  Being chased down to most likely be killed is very horrifying.  This piece of art demonstrates various themes of romanticism.