Romanticism

“Man is born free but is everywhere in chains” proclaimed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the opening line in his Social Contract, is thought to be what lead to the Romanticism Movement.
Romanticism emerged from a desire for freedom of thought, feeling and action. That path to freedom was through imagination rather than thinking. This spirit grew dramatically during the late 18th century in literature, music, art and political thinking.
It is believed that this movement began in 1750 and lasted through 1850. The manifestations of interests during this time was in the medieval period. During the 18th century the Middle Ages were seen as the dark ages highlighted by superstition, mystery, and miracle. The Romantic imagination stretched its perception of the Middle Ages into all worlds of fantasy. Nightmares and the grotesque became the subject of interests for Europe. Landscapes and discovery became the interest for North America. Whereas other parts of the world focused on nature and philosophy driven through poetry. While the entire world became enveloped in a new political spirit. The art from this movement exemplifies all of these emotions.