Enlightenment Period - Romantic Age Comparisons

Enlightenment Period - Romantic Age Comparisonsinfluence, power, and wealth. Clients of architects
Researched and Authored by: Michael J. Spindleradmired and wished to embody the ideology of
The authors of this paper are going to present toRoman power and exhibition into their own homes
the reader five areas of the humanities, art, music,and public buildings, conveying to the observer a
architecture, philosophy, and literature from thesense of virtue, wisdom, and harmony.
Enlightenment period as well as the Romantic Age.In the Romantic Age, America’s diversity was
The examples chosen are meant to reflect thecelebrated by the diversity of and supported by an
developments and forces that affected world eventsexplosion in the size of growing population.
and how these examples molded cultural patterns.Architectural stylings of federal buildings are obvious
This evolution of humankinds views of the world andinterpretations of Greek and Roman architecture, an
humans place in the world profoundly affected theattempt by leaders of a young struggling country to
following century and the course of the modernconvey structure and the power of the government.
people in today’s society.More important, the use of iconic architectural types
Art has traditionally been a reflection and anfosters the loyalty and faith of the people in the new
artist’s interpretation of the world around thedemocracy.
artists. During the Age of Enlightenment, there werePhilosophy in the Renaissance era was greatly
five major types of art movements; Neoclassicism,influenced by the bubonic plague also known as the
Romanticism, French Naturalism, French Realism, andBlack Death. An example of philosophical change
Impressionism. “In part a reaction againstbrought on by the plague was the shift in thought
baroque and rococo excesses, neoclassicism isthat caused people to challenge traditional seats of
associated, in France, with a return to "virtue" and anauthority. Because of the lack of skilled labor due to
acceptance of the new ideological demands of theshrinking population, laborers began demanding higher
French Revolution.”(Boguslawski, 2005) This formstandards of living and a more equitable place in
of art reinforced society’s responsibilities tosociety.
honor, duty, and more important, patriotism.The randomness of the plague, the fact that it
Impressionism in the Age of Enlightenment lends to aafflicted people from all social and economic classes
play on light within common themes. Claude Monet islead to the abandonment of traditional religious
perhaps the best example. While not politicallypractices and changed the way people thought of
inspiring, Impressionism allows the viewer to spenddeath. During the enlightenment period intellectuals
time reflecting on the beauty and the play of colorsattempted to understand and explain their
and lighting.environment. This inquisitiveness bore a set of
“Romantic artists interpreted things through theirprinciples which were believed to govern all human
own emotions, and these emotions included socialinteractions. These principles were believed to be part
and political consciousness--as one would expect in aof the universe and mandated by reason as opposed
period of revolution, one that reacted so strongly toto being ordered or forced on people by kings or the
oppression and injustice in the world.” (Englishchurch.
Department, Brooklyn College, 2001) Despite theA second example is the political theories that framed
term Romantic, the period was a time of revolutionthe debate of the social contract between rulers and
and social upheavals as society on all levels struggledthose being ruled. John Locke’s view that the
for a voice and a place in the evolving world. Acrossruled possesses ultimate power and have a natural
all fields of expression, the period was a movementright to life, liberty and estate clearly influenced
away from rationalism towards an exploration ofThomas Jefferson as he wrote the American
human nature. Emotion became both the subject andDeclaration of Independence 100 years later.
the object of most popular art forms of this period.Christine De Pisan’s Book of the “City of
Rather then just picking a specific work of art, theLadies”, which championed women’s
authors’ intention is to enlighten the reader toimportance to society, was milestone in society. The
the influences and motivations of the artists in thiswork is written as a debate where she interviews
period, rather than describing how a portrait maythree goddesses on moral issues. The authors
have affected the few.selected this work because this example is a
Music in the Enlightenment period was immortalized inmilestone in women’s emergence as equal
the works of Amadeus Mozart. Though gifted from apartners in Western society in that it was one of the
young age, it was through diversity and necessityfirst instances of the subject being addressed from a
that forced Mozart to achieve his potential. Mostwoman’s point of view by a woman. Niccolo
musicians of the period were at the employ ofMachiavelli’s book “The Prince” was a
churches and royalty. The free lance lifestyle Mozartpractical guide of how to establish political stability
led, lent to a freedom of expression… “Thisthrough the use of arbitrary power. The author
step in the direction of artistic and intellectualselected this work because Machiavelli ignored
freedom was a central part of themorality in his explanations of how rulers imposed
Enlightenment.” (Donelan, 1999) Interestingly,their will on friend and foe alike. This ideology gave
Mozart’s work may have reinforced hisform and a certain level of legitimacy to the
attachment to the ideas of the Enlightenment period,“ends justify the means” mentality common
while a feeling of subversion is also equally expressedto many autocratic governments thereafter.
at times.The first example is Locke’s “Of Civil
Mozart was not easily impressed that was untilGovernment”. The author chose this because it
Ludwig van Beethoven performed for Mozart in 1787.serves as the basis of thought behind the ideals set
Beethoven had a singular brilliance about him; as aforth in our own Declaration of Independence and
result, he went through a number of instructors,Constitution. While reading “Of Civil
some of histories most memorable composers of theGovernment” the author came to understand
time. Beethoven’s hearing loss was a progressivethat our Declaration of Independence was
deterioration over a 16 year period beginning in 1801.Jefferson’s affirmation of Natural Law as applied
Around the year 1802, his hearing loss opened newto the social contract between governments and
doors in his composition. Compositions were writtentheir citizens.
that challenged the traditional characterizations ofThe second example is Adam Smith’s Inquiry
music of the time. “Beethoven's influence oninto the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
following composers has been immeasurable. AsideIt applied Natural Law to labor and trade and defined
from his architectonic innovations and expansion offree trade.
the classical sonata and symphony, he brought toThe authors have explored specific examples, people
music a new depth and intensity of emotion thatin history, and how social tides changed the directions
was emulated by later romantic composers…”taken in of each category that was explored. The
(Angelfire.com, n.d.)world that is known today is a product of
The Romantic era could easily be split between twogenerations who were able to express themselves
types of composers. A conservative approachthrough art, music, architecture, philosophy, and
embodying the Romantic periods styling and ideology,literature. The emotions, ideas, and energy conveyed
yet in close quarters to traditional sounding classicalthrough time, give humans a better understanding of
music. Prominent composers of this type ofwhere they have been and the courage to continue
composition include Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohnthe journey forward.
and Brahms. Representing a more forward thinkingReferences - Do Not Strip Article References
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progressives whose music challenged the audiencesBoguslawski, A. (2005). 18TH-Century: Intorduction.
of their day.” (Schmidt-Jones, 2007) AllRetrieved January 22, 2008, from
composers of the Romantic period faced a commonBoyd-Brent, J. (2008). The Architects of The
problem, taking music in a new direction. TheEnlightenment. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from
composers mentioned composed memorable worksDonelan, J. (1999, September 26;). Mozart and
of music, but nothing notable that truly changed theEnlightenment Thought. Retrieved January 22, 2008,
music world. This period was more of a transitionfrom
that led the world to begin experiencing newEnglish Department, Brooklyn College (2001,
innovations that led to modern music.September 23,). Introduction to Romanticism.
British architects of the Enlightenment age includeRetrieved January 22, 2008, from
Colen Campbell, James Gibbs and Robert AdamSchmidt-Jones, C. (2007, October 31;). The Music of
whom also happen to be of Scottish descent,the Romantic Era. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from
“interpreting the first phase of Classicism in theResearched and Authored by: Michael J. Spindler
Palladian form.” (Boyd-Brent, 2008) ArchitectureFree to distribute - However- Do not strip Research
of the period, inspired by the classic forms of RomeArticle References, remove the HTML if needed, but
and Greece, gave rise to a styling that conveyedkeep the URL text.