Romanticism is an artistic and intellectual movement that occurred at the end of the 18th century. It is said to have been a reaction to the Industrial Revolution. It expresses intense emotion through art and other creative forms. It reached it's peak at the beginning of the 1800s. Romanticism marked the end of the Baroque Period and was followed by realism. It focused on emotions, feelings, and moods. Casper David Friedrich summed romanticism by saying "The artist's feeling is his law."

                                   During this time in history landscapes became a significant subject for painting. Romantic artists didn't follow one style so it's hard to define romanticism. It was about the artist's own intense personal expression of his feelings. It spread through all over Europe and later reached the United States. It is said to have been the first time in history that art focused on teaching people to care about one another. Some romantic artists promoted individual liberty, ending slavery, and supporting democratic and independent movements.

                                The Romantic piece I chose to discus is  "The Wanderer in the Storm". In this painting you see a very gloomy and dark sky over a small body of water and a few leaf less trees. There is a trail or dirt road where you see someone walking quickly away. The person is depicted to be in blue jeans and black boots and what seems to be a black cloak. Due to the stormy atmosphere you can infer that the person is trying to find shelter and get home before the rain and storm begins.

                              Romanticism can be very calming to look at depending on how the artist was feeling at the time. It can also be very intense or passionate. I appreciate the abstract quality that romanticism holds because the artists are not bound by one style or design. They can paint and express themselves however they like. And I think this may be how we have such amazing romantic art works of the past today.