Romantic Poetry
Artists of Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic movement that influenced not only literature but music and visual art as well. In this topic, you will have an opportunity to discover and enjoy the poetry of talented Romantic writers, but before you explore the characteristics of Romanticism as a literary period, take a moment to examine and appreciate some paintings created by Romantic artists. In this interactivity, you will view artwork by two British artists named J. M. W. Turner and John Constable. Extending your survey of paintings to include American Romanticism, which lasted about thirty years longer than British Romanticism, you will also indulge in the artwork of American painters Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole. As you view the paintings, make predictions about how Romantic thinkers saw the world around them, and ask yourself what values they considered important. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
After surveying the paintings by artists of the Romantic era, did you notice any common themes? What emotions did the paintings convey to you? Based on the subjects in the paintings, what do you think were the most important values during Romanticism?