Romantic Era Blog

William Blake, The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

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The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, William Blake (British, London 1757–1827 London), Watercolor, pen and black ink, brush and wash, over graphite

William Blake, The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, c. 1799–1800, watercolor, pen and black ink over graphite, 14 3/16 × 13 1/16″ / 36 × 33.2 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York). Video from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

       In the 1800, life around the world  advancing in life and technology.  People continue to explore many parts of the world.  The transportation system advanced with trains, steam boats and bicycles. Many people started moving into the cities. Work forces were in demand in the cities. Raw materials were greatly also needed in those cities. As cities grew, street gas lamp were invented.  Many poor people were forced out of the cities and they move out  into the suburbs as rich people moved in.

    This was a tragic, dark time for black people, who were forced into slavery in America and other places. It was also a tragic and dark time for the Native Americans, (My people) nearly got eradicated by the US government and diseases. Our land was stolen and many tribes were forced on to reservations. The United States had a civil war in 1860. The industrial development created concrete, steel and cast iron, this all help mass developments.

     Other  painting styles came into existences, the three major styles are romantic, realist, and impressionism. Photography also was invented.

     This a powerful painting, The parable of the wise and foolish virgins, it comes from the Bible, Matthew 25.  I find the painting as romanticism due to the painting, but the biblical message is very real.  The romanticism of this painting looks like it was sketched.  The dim to the darkness color shows the seriousness of the biblical warming.

     The five virgins who were ready are all painted white and bright. They look content and peaceful and they are ready to go. On the other hand, the foolish virgins looked unprepared, and upset. The painting on them is grey and grim,  The flying angel is also grey, it showing the seriousness of the situation. The angel is grey because the focus is not on him.  One wise virgin is pointing to the village so the foolish virgins can go buy more oil. The bridegroom came while they were away. (Matt. 25).

    I find this painting, a bit frightening, but it is nicely painting telling the plain truth.

Cite:

Holy Bible, Matthew 25

Cite this page as: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "William Blake, The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins," in Smarthistory, January 25, 2016, accessed October 17, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/william-blake-the-parable-of-the-wise-and-foolish-virgins/.


Caspar David Friedrich, Solitary Tree (or Lone Tree)

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Caspar David Friedrich, Solitary Tree (or Lone Tree), 1822, oil on canvas, 55 x 71 cm (Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin)

    This beautiful painting was perfectly that it looks very real.  It was painted by Caspar David Friedrich in 1822, in Germany. He use oil and canvas. The shapes, colors, lines, texture is all nicely painted. The lone tree is the center of it all. I can see a shepherd and the green pasture are painted beautifully, (SZ, BH).

    The painted beautiful mountains caught my attention. I love the realistic on this grand scene.  The painting reminds me of our own Alaskan wilderness of all mountains, rivers land scape, and animals.  It also reminds me of our fish camps and hunting grounds. The painting looks very tranquil and peaceful. I could image walking towards the lone tree and look at the great scene before me and I would sit up the lone tree to take a long peaceful nap. Then I will wake up to watch and enjoy the beautiful sunset before strolling home. This is a nice painting, I sure would like to go and see it and enjoy it and I would have peace with that.

Cite this page as: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Caspar David Friedrich, Solitary Tree (or Lone Tree)," in Smarthistory, December 4, 2015, accessed October 17, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/caspar-david-friedrich-solitary-tree-or-lone-tree/.


Runge, Hülsenbeck Children

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Philipp Otto Runge, The Hulsenbeck Children, 1805–06 (Hamburger Kunsthalle)

Philipp Otto Runge, The Hülsenbeck Children, 1805–06, oil on canvas, 131.5 x 143.5 cm (Hamburger Kunsthalle)


    The artist Philipp Otto Runge painted this nice painting with oil and canvas in 1805-1806 in Germany.

I find this perfectly painting to be a romanticism.  The colors, shapes, lines and the textures are nicely painted. 
The children looks like doll figures.  The light painting and light shows that the children are in the center of the painting. The painted colors shows it is mid-day or early evening.   My thoughts is that, I wonder why the children are not smiling. Are they going home for supper?  I do not know.  The realism is that children every where love playing out side, especially on a nice warm day, (KH).This painting represents that.

Cite:

Detail, Philipp Otto Runge, The Hülsenbeck Children, 1805–06 (Hamburger Kunsthalle)

Cite this page as: Kaila Howell, "Runge, Hülsenbeck Children," in Smarthistory, May 21, 2021, accessed October 17, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/runge-hulsenbeck-children/.


Constable and the English landscape

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John Constable, The Hay Wain, 1821, oil on canvas, 51–1/4 x 73" (National Gallery of Art, London)

John Constable, The Hay Wain, 1821, oil on canvas, 51–1/4 x 73″ (National Gallery of Art, London)


    I find this beautiful painting as romantic painting. It looks like the artist have seen this some where in real life. The colors, lines, space, form and form is all perfectly painted. It is painted to the last detail. The only action is, that two men are driving a wagon in a river, but the painting of the clouds, the house on the side, the greenish trees and pasture looks very still and very peaceful, (KH).There is a lot of space here. I really like this tranquil, quiet, beautiful painting, it give me peaceful thoughts. It is a realistic thought to a romantic painting.

    I think that is beautiful.

Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Constable and the English landscape," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed October 17, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/constable-and-the-english-landscape/.










Comments

  1. Lexi LoMonacoOctober 28, 2024 at 5:30 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your reflections here! It’s clear you have such a deep appreciation for these artworks, and I feel the same way, especially about the landscape paintings by Caspar David Friedrich and John Constable. There’s something so quietly powerful about how they capture nature, so realistic yet so quaint, with beautiful contrasts between light and shadow that add this soft, romantic vibe.

    When I think about the artists’ intentions, I feel they were reaching for something beyond just replicating a landscape. Friedrich’s lone tree, for instance, feels almost like a symbol of solitude or resilience, standing quietly in this vast, tranquil scene. It’s like an invitation to pause and reflect, and it reminds me of how grounding nature can be, especially when life gets busy or overwhelming.

    As for Constable, his landscapes are warm and welcoming, capturing simple countryside life with a beautiful glow. It’s like he wanted to celebrate everyday moments in nature, to say, “Hey, look at how peaceful and beautiful life can be.” I love how these paintings give you a sense of calm and timelessness, almost like stepping into a memory.

    On “The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins,” I agree with you, it’s powerful and even a bit haunting. The contrast between light and darkness is so striking. You can feel the seriousness of the message, and there’s a kind of reverence in how the artist handled this story. It’s a reminder that Romanticism was more than just pretty scenery; it often carried deep messages that stirred something in the viewer.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete

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