Romanticism and NFT Art
Romanticism (c.1770–1850) is an incredibly important artistic era that gave us artists who expressed their individuality, thinkers who challenged us to think outside the box, and writers who expressed beauty and decay in free-flowing words. We can see the Romantics influence on NFT art today.
Romanticism can be seen as the foundation of the artistic world as we know it today. Artists like JMW Turner and Francisco Goya created art that resonates on a deeper level. Musicians like Beethoven and Schubert crafted tunes that still make listeners feel something deep within themselves. And writers like Mary Shelley gave us the fantastical novel of Frankenstein.
In this article, I am going to share some of the most influential artists of that era and compare them to some of the NFT artists who are following in their footsteps.
Let’s dive into history to see what was happening in the world that influenced these incredible artists to create. To fully comprehend Romanticism, we must first acknowledge the Enlightenment, an intellectual and philosophical movement that emphasized reason, science, and skepticism of traditional authority.
The Enlightenment fostered a culture of individual thought and rationalism. It led to the development of Neoclassical art and architecture. Neoclassicism drew inspiration from classical antiquity and reflected the rational and ordered principles of Enlightenment thought. This emphasis on objectivity had a direct influence on the emergence of Romanticism, as it sought to elevate emotion and individualism as the focal points of artistic expression.
Artists from this time departed from the strict and rational art of the Enlightenment, and replaced it with depictions of heroism, irrational emotions, an appeal to spiritual experiences, and the beauty of wild nature. The artists aimed to evoke emotions in their viewers, readers, and listeners. Romanticism is all about feeling, experiencing, and thinking.
First up, let’s look at the work of Caspar David Friedrich and JWM Turner.
The representation of wild nature, the loose brushstrokes, and the emotion that are conveyed in these works were pioneering at the time. We can look at these two works by Helio Santos and Angela Mantilla, and see the influence that Turner and Friedrich have had on NFT artists today. The NFT artists are channeling the wild nature, the emotion, and are directly appealing to our senses.
Romantics believed art should evoke emotion and speak to the imagination. They often depicted scenes of nature, love, and loss, and diving into the supernatural and the sublime. They rejected the academic rules and conventions of Neoclassical art and aimed to create original and expressive works.
Romanticism blurred the boundaries between literature and art, with artists and writers often collaborating and drawing inspiration from each other. This interdisciplinary approach contributed to the richness of the period and can be seen as a catalyst for the collaborative nature of subsequent art periods, including NFTs.
The Romantic artists drew inspiration from what was happening in the world around them. The Napoleonic Wars, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of Nationalism.
Romanticism can be characterized by the focus on the individual experience and subjective perception, rather than objective reality or accuracy. These artists often sought to capture the moods, feelings, and emotions of their subjects through expressive compositions, vivid colors, and dramatic contrasts of light and dark.
This painting by Spanish artist, Francisco Goya shows the helplessness that happens in war. His use of light creates drama and suspense, while the main figure expresses deep, real emotion. NFT artist, Elina Imre shows us the desolation and helplessness that one feels when stuck in a warzone. Her use of dramatic lighting sets the tone, while the teddy bear holds our attention. We can see the direct influence of Romanticism on NFT art in these examples.
Romantic artists were also known to incorporate elements of the supernatural and the mysterious into their works, reflecting their fascination with the unknown and the unseen.
Many artists explored themes of death and mortality, depicting ghosts, demons, and otherworldly creatures in their works. Interest in the supernatural and mysterious is also a defining characteristic of Romanticism. This fascination with the supernatural can be seen in literature and art, where writers and artists often explored themes of magic, the occult, and the unknown.
The Nightmare by John Henry Fuseli is a classic example of Romanticism. He uses dramatic lighting, with a dynamic pose and otherworldly creatures coming out of the darkness to strike a mood in this unusual painting. When we look at Vibeke Alvestad’s NFT, we can sense otherworldliness, contemplation and complicated emotions, which are directly related topics from the Romantic era.
During this era, the world was experiencing many conflicts and societal changes. The Industrial Revolution, with its rapid technological advancements and economic shifts, brought on social and environmental challenges like pollution, poverty, and child labor. The rise of nationalism added fuel to the fire, increasing tensions and conflicts among nations. On top of all of that, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars added another layer of upheaval and instability to the era.
Despite the challenges they faced, these artists paved the way for modern art by breaking new ground in terms of subject matter, style, and technique. They rejected established conventions and allowed for the exploration of emotion, imagination, and the natural world in art.
The legacy of Romanticism can be seen in the works of NFT artists who continue to push boundaries and challenge conventional thinking.
The dynamic fusion of the past and the present is where my love lies. I will continue this journey through art history and how it relates to NFTs.
Please join me for the next installment, where I will delve into Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
References:
https://artdevivre.com/articles/the-most-famous-romanticism-paintings-you-need-to-know/
https://www.britannica.com/art/Romanticism
https://www.singulart.com/en/blog/2023/09/26/goya-famous-paintings/
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-romanticism-art-definition/
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/joseph-mallord-william-turner