Romanttisuus

Romanttisuus, often translated as Romanticism, was an artistic, literary, musical, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century. It was a reaction against the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and logic, and the political and social norms of the Age of Reason. Romanttisuus placed a strong emphasis on emotion and individualism, as well as glorification of the past and nature.

Key characteristics of Romanttisuus include a focus on subjective experience, imagination, and intuition. Artists and writers explored themes of intense emotion, often melancholy or passionate love, the sublime beauty and power of nature, the supernatural, and the exotic. There was a fascination with medieval history and folklore, and a rejection of classical forms and strict rules in art and literature. The concept of the heroic individual, often an artist or a rebel, who defied societal conventions was also prominent.

In literature, authors like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Victor Hugo, and Lord Byron exemplified Romantic ideals. In painting, artists such as Caspar David Friedrich and Eugène Delacroix captured dramatic landscapes and emotional scenes. Music saw composers like Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Frédéric Chopin infuse their works with passionate expression and emotional depth. Romanttisuus profoundly influenced subsequent artistic and cultural movements, leaving a lasting legacy on Western thought and creativity.