Romanticism

Active sky or terrain, strong light, and an emotional focus give the scene tension.

Visual traits

• Dramatic light
• Active nature
• Emotional tension

Expected changes

• Contrast of light and space is more likely to strengthen
• Movement in figures or nature is more likely to be emphasized

Definition

Romanticism is a historical art movement that expresses subjective experience through strong emotion, dramatic light, and the overwhelming force of nature or events. It does not determine a particular artist, literary work, country, or period scene.

In more detail

It gives movement and emotional tension to the relation of figures, sky, terrain, and weather. Narrative, place, clothing, and a specific disaster remain separately selectable.

Includes

• Strong emotion
• Dramatic light
• Composition suggesting natural force

Excludes

• Imitation of a particular artist or literary work
• A particular historical event
• A direction to depict landscape alone

What this does not imply

• A particular artist
• work
• or country
• A particular historical event or literary scene
• Specific weather

Variability

The intensity of emotion and weight of natural elements can be adjusted to the subject.

Usage

• Show emotion and natural force through composition
• Specify narrative separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Verify a particular work or historical event separately

Typical uses

• Create an emotionally intense figure image
• Depict a scene that suggests natural force

Possible failure modes

• It becomes merely a dark scene
• It becomes imitation of a particular work