nting in the Lourve romanticisms is a movement that arose in the early nineteenth century in art, literature, and music. Romantic painting was characterized by emotionalism and fascination with the exotic. It reached its peak about 1830 in France, England and Germany. Some principles of Romanticism are that the emphasis is on feelings, especially on personal feelings rather the general or community feelings. Some personal feelings are love affairs, illness, duels, suicides, and madness. Another emphasis is on emotion rather than reason.Romantic artists had the love of the exotic and fantastic. They explored the extremes. Dream worlds were invented. Dreams were commonly the source of inspiration.The feeling of many Romantic artists is nationalism. Mystical attachment to the world is what Romantic painters had. Landscapes and seascapes is what painters turned to. Featured were natural phenomena and storms. They focused on real nature rather than enlightenment.Delacroix and his friend also a painter, Eugene Lami, went out to watch the fighting. The fighting erupted not far from his studio.Delacroix wrote to his brother (a general) Since I have not fought and conquered for the fatherland I can at least paint on its behalf. Thats why he painted Liberty Leading the People. Delacroix had no similarity for politics. His attitude toward social reform was intrinsically detached and laisseiz-faire. Nevertheless, his attention was compelled by the political crisis in France. Everyones concern had become politics. Liberty Leading the People is sort of a political poster. It marks the day when the people rose and dethroned the Bourbon King. The new king Louis Philippe bought Liberty Leading the People but never exhibited it. King Philippe bought the work of art for 3,000 francs. It remained in storage for eighteen years. It was brought out in 1848. The government of Louis Philippe awarded Delacroix with the Legion of Honor.Delacroi...
