Realism vs. Romanticism — What's the Difference?

A focus on depicting everyday life accurately.

An artistic and literary movement celebrating emotion and nature.

An artistic movement emphasizing truth and objectivity.

A cultural movement valuing emotion over reason.

A literary technique detailing genuine human experiences.

A style emphasizing intuition, imagination, and individualism.

A philosophical stance valuing facts and the tangible.

Romanticism (also known as the Romantic era) was an artistic, literary, musical, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century, and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850. Romanticism was characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature, preferring the medieval rather than the classical.

An inclination toward literal truth and pragmatism.

Often Romanticism An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 1700s and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the individual's expression of emotion and imagination, departure from the attitudes and forms of classicism, and rebellion against established social rules and conventions.

The representation in art or literature of objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are, without idealization or presentation in abstract form.

Romantic quality or spirit in thought, expression, or action.

The scholastic doctrine, opposed to nominalism, that universals exist independently of their being thought.

A romantic quality, spirit or action.

The modern philosophical doctrine, opposed to idealism, that objects exist independently of their being perceived.

A fondness for romantic characteristics or peculiarities; specifically, in modern literature, an aiming at romantic effects; - applied to the productions of a school of writers who sought to revive certain medi val forms and methods in opposition to the so-called classical style.

A concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary.

Impractical romantic ideals and attitudes

An artistic representation of reality as it is.

A movement in literature and art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that celebrated nature rather than civilization;

(sciences) The viewpoint that an external reality exists independent of observation.

An exciting and mysterious quality (as of a heroic time or adventure)

(philosophy) A doctrine that universals are real—they exist and are distinct from the particulars that instantiate them.

An appreciation for the mysterious and the sublime.

As opposed to nominalism, the doctrine that genera and species are real things or entities, existing independently of our conceptions. According to realism the Universal exists ante rem (Plato), or in re (Aristotle).

A philosophical stance seeing emotion as a source of truth.

Fidelity to nature or to real life; representation without idealization, and making no appeal to the imagination; adherence to the actual fact.

The practise of assessing facts and the probabilities of the consequences of actions in an objective manner; avoidance of unrealistic or impractical beliefs or efforts. Contrasted to idealism, self-deception, overoptimism, overimaginativeness, or visionariness.

The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth

(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical object continue to exist when not perceived

The state of being actual or real;

An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description

(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names

The belief in an external reality independent of human perception.

Realism emphasizes the objective representation of everyday life and its truths.

While they're contrasting movements, a work can blend elements of both Realism and Romanticism.

Romanticism often idealizes nature, seeing it as a source of inspiration and emotional depth.

Romantic literature often explores themes like nature, emotion, beauty, and individualism.

A Realistic novel might feature everyday people facing genuine, often challenging life circumstances.

Romanticism places a higher value on emotion, intuition, and individual perception.

Realism gained prominence in the mid-19th century, particularly in literature and art.

No, both movements have influenced art, philosophy, music, and other cultural realms.

Realism seeks to view the world as it truly is, often highlighting its gritty or mundane aspects.

Many artists turned to Realism as a response to societal changes and a desire to depict genuine life experiences.

Romanticism celebrates the individual, their emotions, and their unique perceptions.

Yes, elements of Romanticism, such as a focus on emotion and nature, can be found in contemporary works.

A Romantic painting might portray dramatic landscapes, emotional scenes, or idealized subjects.

While both originated in the West, elements of Realism and Romanticism can be found in various global cultures and works.

Romanticism is more idealistic, often presenting a beautified or elevated view of its subjects.