3.1 Romanticism and the rise of the art critic

The Romantic era marked a turning point in art criticism. Critics became influential tastemakers, shaping public opinion through reviews and essays. Their words could make or break artists' careers, influencing exhibition success and sales.

Romantic critics championed emotion and imagination over neoclassical ideals. They used poetic language to interpret art subjectively, valuing originality and innovation. This approach laid the groundwork for modern art criticism and the concept of the avant-garde.

Art Criticism in the Romantic Era

Shifting Relationship Between Art and Society

Top images from around the web for Shifting Relationship Between Art and Society

• 

  The Tastemakers of 19th-Century England | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Romanticism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Tastemakers of 19th-Century England | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Romanticism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Shifting Relationship Between Art and Society

• 

  The Tastemakers of 19th-Century England | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Romanticism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Tastemakers of 19th-Century England | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Romanticism – Introduction To Art View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• The Romantic era saw a significant shift in the relationship between art and society, with art criticism emerging as a powerful force in shaping public opinion and taste
• Art critics during the Romantic period often acted as tastemakers, influencing the reception and popularity of artists and their works through their reviews and essays
• Romantic art criticism played a crucial role in educating the public about art and fostering a greater appreciation for the emotional and imaginative aspects of artistic expression
• The rise of print media, such as newspapers and journals, provided a platform for art critics to reach a wider audience and disseminate their ideas about art and aesthetics

Impact of Art Critics on Artists' Careers

• The opinions of influential art critics could make or break an artist's career, as their reviews often determined the success or failure of exhibitions and sales
• Positive reviews from respected critics could lead to increased visibility, commissions, and patronage for artists (J.M.W. Turner, John Constable)
• Negative reviews could damage an artist's reputation and hinder their ability to sell works or secure exhibitions (Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood initially faced harsh criticism)
• Some artists actively sought the approval and support of prominent critics to advance their careers and gain recognition in the art world (Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault)

Influence of Romantic Art Critics

Notable Romantic Art Critics and Their Contributions

• Denis Diderot, a French philosopher and art critic, played a significant role in shaping the discourse around art during the early Romantic period, emphasizing the importance of emotional expression and naturalism in art
• William Hazlitt, an English essayist and critic, championed the work of Romantic artists such as J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, helping to establish their reputations and influence on the art world
• John Ruskin, a leading Victorian art critic, promoted the ideas of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and advocated for a return to the spiritual and moral values of medieval art
• Charles Baudelaire, a French poet and art critic, was a key figure in the development of modern art criticism, emphasizing the importance of originality, imagination, and the artist's personal vision

Debates and Controversies in Romantic Art Criticism

• The subjective and often polemical nature of Romantic art criticism led to heated debates and controversies, which in turn generated greater public interest in art and its meaning
• Critics often disagreed on the merits of specific artists or movements, leading to lively discussions in the press and among the public (debate between Ruskin and Whistler)
• Some critics used their platform to advance political or social agendas, sparking debates about the role of art in society (Baudelaire's support for the French Revolution of 1848)
• Controversies surrounding the moral and religious content of artworks also emerged, with critics debating the appropriateness of certain subjects or themes (Delacroix's "Death of Sardanapalus")

Impact of Romantic Art Criticism

Challenging Neoclassical Ideas and Promoting Emotional Expression

• Romantic art criticism challenged the prevailing neoclassical ideas of beauty, proportion, and harmony, instead emphasizing the importance of emotion, imagination, and individual expression in art
• Critics promoted the notion of art as a means of personal and spiritual expression, paving the way for the development of abstract and non-representational art in the 20th century
• The Romantic focus on the sublime and the transcendent in art led to a renewed interest in the relationship between art, nature, and the divine, influencing the development of landscape painting and the concept of the artist as a spiritual guide

Laying the Foundation for Modern Art and Criticism

• The Romantic emphasis on originality and creativity laid the foundation for the concept of the avant-garde and the idea of the artist as a visionary and innovator
• Romantic art criticism contributed to the democratization of art, challenging the authority of academic institutions and promoting the idea of art as a means of social and political engagement
• The subjective and individualistic approach of Romantic critics paved the way for the development of modern art criticism, which often prioritizes personal interpretation and response over objective analysis (impressionist criticism, formalist criticism)

Romantic Art Criticism vs Previous Approaches

Emphasis on Emotion, Imagination, and Personal Expression

• Romantic art criticism emphasized the importance of emotion, imagination, and personal expression in art, departing from the rational and objective approach of neoclassical criticism
• Critics valued the artist's ability to convey inner feelings and experiences through their work, rather than adhering to strict rules of composition or subject matter (Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes)
• The Romantic focus on the individual and subjective experience of art contrasted with the neoclassical emphasis on universal ideals and timeless beauty (Jacques-Louis David's history paintings)

Poetic Language and Subjective Interpretation

• Romantic critics often used poetic and metaphorical language to describe and interpret artworks, reflecting the Romantic belief in the power of language to evoke feeling and meaning
• This approach differed from the more analytical and descriptive style of neoclassical criticism, which focused on the formal qualities of art and its adherence to established rules (Johann Joachim Winckelmann's writings on ancient art)
• Romantic art criticism was often highly subjective and individualistic, with critics expressing their personal opinions and responses to artworks rather than adhering to established rules or conventions
• This emphasis on personal interpretation and response paved the way for the development of modern art criticism, which often prioritizes the critic's individual perspective over objective analysis (Walter Pater's "The Renaissance")

Valuing Originality and Innovation

• Romantic critics valued originality and innovation in art, praising artists who broke with tradition and explored new forms of expression
• This contrasted with the neoclassical emphasis on imitation and adherence to established models, which prioritized the mastery of traditional techniques and subjects (academic art training)
• Romantic art criticism celebrated artists who challenged conventional norms and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in art (Théodore Géricault's "The Raft of the Medusa")
• This focus on originality and innovation laid the foundation for the concept of the avant-garde and the idea of the artist as a visionary and trailblazer (Édouard Manet's "Olympia")

Moral and Spiritual Dimensions of Art

• Romantic art criticism often focused on the moral and spiritual dimensions of art, seeing it as a means of uplifting and transforming society rather than merely entertaining or instructing
• Critics emphasized the power of art to inspire deep emotions, provoke reflection, and encourage personal growth and enlightenment (William Blake's visionary works)
• This approach differed from the neoclassical view of art as primarily didactic and morally instructive, which prioritized the communication of virtuous ideals and exemplary behavior (Joshua Reynolds' "Discourses on Art")
• The Romantic belief in the transformative power of art paved the way for the development of socially engaged and politically conscious art in the 19th and 20th centuries (Gustave Courbet's realist paintings)