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Mexican Serape, 1800-1850
Per the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the serape was worn by horsemen. That is why it is so big, measuring ninety-five inches by fifty-two inches. The colors are reflective of Mexican independence, won from Spain in 1821. These motifs and colors are still evident in textiles worn in Mexico and America today. It was difficult finding art from Latin countries during this period due to colonialism. Most work was just a copy of European art. -
Repentant Mary Magdalene by Antonio Canova, 1808
The Hermitage Museum states that the Italian Canova rarely used biblical figures for his sculptures. Here, he portrays Magdalene in the desert lamenting her sins. The skull is a reminder that life is fleeting. The beauty and religious tone make this an enduring artwork. -
Fur Elise by Ludwig von Beethoven, 1810
According to Songfacts.com, the famous Elise was actually Therese, a woman and student to whom Beethoven proposed. The melancholy melody aligns perfectly with unrequited love, a common theme during the Romantic period. Therese turned Beethoven down in favor of another. The piece is commonly played by piano students everywhere and is a recognizable tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfF0zHeU3Zs -
The Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar Friedrich, 1810
caspardavidfriedrich.org says that the German, Friedrich, was known for his allegorical works often featuring figures silhouetted against a lighter but dim sky. His works were contemplations of nature and displayed the Romantic sentiments characterized by Gothic scenery. When I view his work, I feel the beauty of nature and the solemnity of thought. -
The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya, 1814
Goya was a Spanish painter. This particular work draws stark attention to the horrors of war when the French invaded Spain. The expression on the central figure's face contrasts with the faceless firing squad and the dead bodies at his feet. It is a moving work. -
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1818
Mary Shelley was a female British author during the Romantic period. Married to Percy Shelley, she formed associations with other big names from the same period, such as Lord Byron. The hero of the work is actually the monster who is the creation of the doctor. His "birth" brings imprisonment and sorrow which leads to the murder of his creator's love. It is a sad story about the pitfalls of playing God. All the movies and retold stories are a testament to the book's ability to stay fresh. -
Elijah in the Desert by Washington Allston, 1818
Britannica.com lists Allston as the first important Romantic artist in America. He was born in South Carolina. His American landscapes are breathtaking. They show the unspoiled wilderness that was America. -
Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats, 1819
John Keats died at the early age of twenty-five, yet he left a plethora of Romantic poetry behind. Ode to a Grecian Urn was referred to earlier in this aesthetics course. The themes of death, yearning, and change are hallmarks of the Romantic period. Keats was a contemporary of Shelley and Wordsworth. His illness, tuberculosis, must have colored the themes of his later poetry, of which this is an example. -
The Raft of the Medusa by Theodore Gericault, 1819
Gericault was a French painter who was largely self-taught, says the J. Paul Getty Museum. This painting was based on actual events. Gericault studied real cadavers for the painting. It demonstrates art as historical commentary and realistic depiction while still fitting the Romantic spirit. -
The Hay Wain by John Constable, 1821
John Constable was a British painter known for his landscapes. He is quoted as saying "painting is but another word for feeling" (john-constable.org). A current magazine from Britain, Landscape, had an article last year about how tourists still visit the sites of his paintings. -
Landscape with Waterfall by Tani Buncho, 1828
According to britannica.com, Buncho "founded an eclectic school influenced by Chinese, Japanese, and Western styles." He began by learning from the Chinese. His work demonstrates a knowledge of Western perspective with the beauty of Asian brushwork on silk. He illustrates an iconic style of Asian artwork. -
The Hebrides by Felix Mendelssohn, 1833
Mendelssohn was a German composer and child prodigy. His music is still played today. It was featured in Warner Brothers cartoons.
Here is a link to the music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3MiETaBSnc -
Puckered Moccasins, 1833-1836
The Brooklyn Museum states that these moccasins, made by the Plains Indians, were collected by Dr. Jarvis. They are a beautiful example of Native American craftsmanship and use of native materials. There are shoes still made in this style today, depicting their enduring appeal. -
View of the Boulevard du Temple by Louis Daguerre, 1838
According to Mashable, this is the first photograph that shows a person, although it's hard to see. This represented a breakthrough in technology and art. It is also a remarkable moment in time. -
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, 1843
This short story is a remarkable example of Romantic Literature. Poe was an American author who specialized in poetry and short stories of the macabre. This particular story outlines the contemplation and murder of a man. Then the perpetrator's guilt produces the sound of the heartbeat of the deceased, leading the culprit to confess. It is still a staple of high school literature classes and a must read for any American lit major. -
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt, 1847
This staple of Looney Tunes cartoons was a soundtrack to my childhood. I can still see Bugs Bunny seated at the piano! Liszt was known for his unique stylings and often criticized for it. The nineteen rhapsodies are imbued with national pride and include influences from folk music according to britannica.com.
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdH1hSWGFGU -
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, 1847
Who could forget Jane discovering her lover's mentally unhinged wife living in the attic? This is a very dramatic scene typical of the Romantic period. This book's lasting interest can be seen in the 1966 publication of The Wide Sargasso Sea by Rhys. It details the marriage between Rochester and Antoinette from her perspective. It was made into a movie during the 1990s, I believe. There have been many adaptations of Jane Eyre made for television and the big screen. -
Minute Waltz by Frederic Chopin, 1847
Chopin was a Polish composer and piano virtuoso. His compositions are included in myriad cartoons of the twentieth century, many of which I grew up watching. His Minute Waltz was one of my first tastes of classical music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKILwVH_MdM -
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1850
I recall reading this in eleventh grade and again in college. It is another example of Romantic literature, relying on feminist issues in the light of adultery. It explores the societal reaction as well as the individual reaction to a sin that was strictly forbidden. The reader feels sympathy and outrage on the behalf of Hester and her daughter, Pearl, the truly innocent victim. -
Pwo mask, Chokwe peoples; southern Kasai. Democratic Republic of the Congo, 19th century. Wood, fiber, pigments, metal, plastic, animal and plant material, 8 ¼ x 7 in. (21 x 18 cm). The Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium (EO.0.0.43143)
I wanted to include some African art, but it is hard to find art from this time period. The dates are often vague. I thought a mask would be iconic of tribal Africa. Note the intricate design that includes facial scarring, headdress, and a neck. While the facial features are stylized, there is still a look of individuality. This particular piece is from the Royal Museum for Central Africa located in Belgium. -
Peacock Lute from India, 19th century
This is an example of a musical instrument also being a work or art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art says the peacock is a symbol of Sarasvati, the goddess of music. This bowed lute was popular at court. -
The Ninth Wave by Ivan Aivakzovsky, 1850
Artnet.com says that Aivakzovsky is considered one of the best marine artists of all time. The brilliant colors and contrast draw your eye first, then you note the waves and how tall they are. The small boat next to the larger waves provides a feeling of unease, a favorite of the Romantic era.
