DOCUMENT THREE

ROMANTICISM (THE ROMANTIC ERA)

Before we get started, it is only fair to acknowledge the fact that we were asked to produce work on
an art movement in a decade of our own choosing. However, I – and by every fault of my own – have
chosen to write my essay on a movement that spanned primarily over five decades, (1800 – 1850).
And for that, I do apologise. And, yes: I will be going over two pages, due to the fact I have already
wasted eighty-five words to apologise. Now, ninety-one. Sorry.

Romanticism. Now, it is easy to assume that romanticism focuses on pretty Cupids and painting of
two fair lovers; given the fact the word “romantic” is prominent in the title. Throw all those
assumptions to one side. Romanticism is not so much about being romantic, rather than being…
well… passionate. Well, who am I to make such a bold statement? It is actually fair to say that no one
really knows exactly what it is about; but, yes. It is about: passion, expressing your thoughts and
beliefs, amongst other things. This can be about almost anything. From: nature to religion or love to
sorrow; romanticism allows us to explore of passion for a great number of things.

However, romantics are not so fond of the idea of industrialization – but who can blame them? They
reject the notion of The Enlightenment – which focussed on: reason, human nature, man over
nature and looking forward. For romantics, it is about exploring our emotions, accepting that man is
small in comparison to nature and taking a moment to be in awe of the beauty of our world and all
it’s richness. They believe in the simple life; that man does not need machines; and often looks back
across the cumulated culture of the medieval era, and back further: to the times of the Romans and
the Greeks and the dawn of culture. They are often inspired by religion and the imagery it conveys.
The purity and the power that the world has over its beings. And let’s be fair… good old Mother
Nature kicks arse. Man is nothing in comparison. And this is the fundamentals of Romanticism. It is
built upon the passion and belief in something. A passion so strong that it must be spread. It must be
told and given to people. So that others can experience it and be inspired by it.

Let’s talk paintings. There was a large quantity of paintings created during the Romantic Era. Each
one expressing something different. Some were painted at the time of great falls in society and often
depict such things as death, e.g. the French Revolution. Others depict nature in all its power and
glory. Then, others show us the world in its beauty and the effect of the Industrial Revolution. Some
simply illustrate key moments in inspired novels that tackled certain subjects; often wrote by other
romantics.

It is important to remember that this art movement took shape within all forms of the arts.
Including: music, literature, paintings, statures and plays.
 - Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, Ossian
receiving the Ghosts of the French Heroes, 1800–02.
This painting shows – as the title may tell you – the
ghost of French soldiers being accepted into heaven.
This is a very strong piece. It depicts a tale of true woe,
and yet hope. This painting was painted just after the
end of the French Revolution. This was a time in
France’s history that changed the country forever. This
time of war did not put a stop to culture. In fact,
Napoléon loved this painting; claiming it to be one of the best paintings ever created. This
painting is a prime example of the intense feelings that these artists were expressing. This
holds so much pain.

And now, I want to show one more painting. With this painting I will be going into far more detail. I
will be exploring the content, composition, composure and lighting of the painting.

THE LAST DAY OF POMPEII by Karl

Bryullov

The first thing I notice about this painting,

is the frozen moment of time – of which
still has a form of dynamic movement.
Notice how the painting holds so much
depth with so many characters; that this
frozen moment in time can press forward.
All the characters are running from the inevitable doom. And there are a lot of characters, including:
people, horses and structures (not a character) – but you get what I mean. All of it is moving in a
way. So much life, before there is death.

Secondly, the painting almost resembles a stage. All the characters are composed into small groups,
in the centre of the painting. We can see them all turning their back from the invading demise, and
yet looking back to see it push towards them.

Strangely, there is a large – almost benevolent – cast of light, falling down upon them. Is this the
light of God? Is this his divine judgment? Or does is simply welcome them into the kingdom of
heaven? He is perhaps, calming the lost souls and putting their fear at rest. It is God, who is believed
to be the master of all. So, it is very possibly that Bryullovis depicting his judgment and is wrath, and
yet is forgiveness in this painting.

The overall feeling of this paining is: a dark sorrow. This painting clearly projects the final moments
of the people of Pompeii. In the centre of the image; where the light is directed exactly to; a woman
lays dead. This perhaps seals the people’s fate. A glimpse into their near future.

Personally, I love this painting. The sense of finality and religious imagery speaks so boldly to me.
What I love the most is that we can see the condemning fires the volcano. What we see is people
reacting. I believe things are always far more terrifying when left to the imagination. Maybe, that is
why most horror films today are so damn dull.

Finally, I will finish with a list of mentionable artists and their impacting contribution to the
romanticism art movement.

- Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix

- Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich
- The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault
- La maja desnuda by Francisco Goya

And, there are many more.

In conclusion, be sure to visit the Romantic Era’s work. It does not just include paintings, it includes
so much more, like: poems, novels, music and sculptures. It is a beautiful movement.

And that, boys and girls, is my essay. ”

Why does this speak to me? Well, it’s simple, really. I love the idea. Once I started looking into it, the
more and more I fell in love. The idea that the world is far larger than we are – that nature will
always overcome industry – it’s simply beautiful. I love the world and its beauty, and I love humanity
for all that it is. I understand that we are flawed and that in a moment we could be torn from the
face of this earth. Our time is limited; but that is what makes it so amazing. We won’t last forever;
but a thing isn’t beautiful because it last forever; that’s what makes it precious.

MY WORK: (PART ONE) - MY INFLUENCES

So, I want to talk a little more about how I came to be so engrossed by cinema. When I was thirteen I
was sat at home, flipping through the channels – desperate to find something to watch that would
end my boredom. At first, I was looking for something familiar; but I found myself on ‘SKY MOVIES’ –
as it was known back then; and I was on the indie section. I read the synopsis of a dozen films and
couldn’t decide on what to watch. Then, I stumbled across a film called ‘THE WAY WAY BACK’. This
film isn’t a critically acclaimed film, or won a shit load of awards, or directed by one of the biggest
names in cinema history – to be honest, I don’t even know the name of the filmmaker. This film will
most likely be forgotten by most people. I think it had a three-star rating on Sky – and on IMDB it has
7.4. Oh, and it was directed by two of the cast members. So, it’s considered good, but not world
defining. That doesn’t matter to me. What does, is how it made me feel. That feeling that I felt was
happy, yet sad. I knew there and then that I wanted to be able to make other people feel. And so, I
wanted to be a film maker.

Anyway, my influences are as followed (in list formation):

- Japanese cinema
- Anime
- German expressionism
- Tim Burton films
- Music (mostly rock and orchestral)
- Romanticism
- Westerns
- Games
- Wes Anderson films
- Quentin Tarantino films
- Gothic art
- Folk stories
- Fantasy books/ films/ shows

What do I think is the most important think in filmmaking? Making people feel and letting them
escape from reality. Do other people, rather than just to make money and be the big shot – because
that will just show in the stuff you make. They’ll lack in any authenticity.

My favourite films… or should I say some:

- SLEEPY HOLLOW
- SE7EN
 - FIGHT CLUB
- GONE GIRL
- RASHOMON
- DJANGO UNCHAINED
- KINGSMAN
- HARRY POTTER: DEATHLY HALLOWS PART ONE
- PULP FICTION
- KILL BILL, VOL.1 $ 2
- THIS IS ENGLAND
- THE WAY WAY BACK
- A KNIGHT’S TALE
- LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
- MULHOLLAND DRIVE

Some of my favourite directors:

- David Fincher
- David Lynch
- Quentin Tarantino
- Wes Anderson
- Danny Boyle
- Akira Kurosawa
- Tim Burton
- Martin Scorsese

Some of my favourite shows:

- Twin Peaks
- Game of Thrones
- Breaking Bad
- Lockie Leonard

Books I recommend:

- GREAT FILM DIRECTORS BY ANDY TUOHY

 - CINEMATIC STORYTELLING BY JENNIFER VAN SIJLL
- MOVIEMAKER’S MASTER CLASS BY LAURENT TIRARD
- THE GUERILLA FILM MAKERS BLUEPRINT BY CHRIS JONES

TRYING TO MAKE MY STYLE