Romanticism and Realism

Romanticism

Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) painted “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog” in 1818 using oil paints. Friedrich was able to express the ideals of the romantic period in his realistic and sentimental landscapes and to reflect atmospheres very accurately. In his artworks he creates a fantastic never ending vastness which is clearly portrayed in this picture. 

The Rückenfigur—a person seen from behind, contemplating the view – was commonly used by Friedrich to emphasise the vastness of nature. The viewer is encouraged to place themselves in the position of the Rückenfigur, therefore experiencing the visual impact of nature.

I really like this image as it suggests the pure insignificance of people in such incredible landscapes. I also like the way the fog and clouds create an element of mystery regarding the location which is most likely due to Friedrich creating a portfolio of sketches of the landscapes which he then enhanced by using his imagination for backgrounds in his paintings.

 Realism

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875) used oil paint to create “The Sheepfold, Moonlight” between 1856 and 1860.

Millet used his peasant background to create scenes of peasant life, reinforcing his influence on the Realist period of art. As an artist, Millet tried to make the viewer “hear the songs, the silences, and murmurings of the air”.

He successfully achieves this in this painting by giving a feeling of mystery, silence and the occasional rustling of the sheep resulting in a sense of the stillness of the night.

I like this image because it gives a feeling of complete calm and tranquility. I particularly like the way the light from the moon is what draws your eye to the shepherd and the sheep in the foreground. I think the shading of the sky from the lighter tones near the moon to the darker tones furthest away ­­­from the moon gives an atmosphere of mystery and wonder.