Romanticism

Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. It stressed strong emotion—which now might include trepidation, awe and horror as aesthetic experiences—the individual imagination as a critical authority, which permitted freedom within or even from classical notions of form in art, and overturning of previous social conventions, particularly the position of the aristocracy. There was a strong element of historical and natural inevitability in its ideas, stressing the importance of "nature" in art and language. Romanticism is also noted for its elevation of the achievements of what it perceived as heroic individuals and artists. It followed the Enlightenment period and was in part inspired by a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms from the previous period, as well as seeing itself as the fulfilment of the promise of that age.

See also

• Romantic nationalism
• Romantic period in music
• neo-romanticism
• Folklore
• Middle Ages in history - Romanticism and images of the Middle Ages

Terms sometimes taken as related

• Radicalism
• Revolution
• Nazism
• Fascism
• Surrealism
• Symbolism
• Bohemianism
• Liberalism
• Nationalism
• Gothicism

Terms sometimes taken as opposed

• Classicism
• The Academy
• Liberalism
• Utilitarianism
• Realism
• Rationalism
• The Enlightenment