A "Romantic Realism" Image … My Favorite Motif
© A. Mac/A.G.
Romantic realism
Romantic realism is an aesthetic term that usually refers to art which combines elements of both romanticism and realism. The terms "romanticism" and "realism" have been used in varied ways, and are sometimes seen as opposed to one another. It is sometimes referred to as "Romantic Idealism". Romanticism -- movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual.
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Somewhere between real and ideal.
Would this qualify as Romantic Realism? It was an attempt to make a photograph look like a painting.
JMW Turner was a pre-impressionist, but perhaps most of his paintings were actually Romantic-Realism.
That looks very much like the fabled Ghost Ship that I read about many years ago.
Very serene, and it sort of draws you in. Great work.
The painting is called The Fighting Temeraire, by J.M.W. Turner. I saw the original in either the Tate or National Gallery in London almost half a century ago. It has been voted by the British public as their favourite painting, and it is mine as well. To me that painting is very special, because it also tells a story. The sail-ship had endured and been successful in many battles, but its time is up, and it is being towed into the dock for the last time by a steam-driven tugboat - the sailing battleships had now seen their day. The sunset, the end of the day, also signifies the end of that era.
The Star of India in San Diego is one of the few great sailing ships left, and is a very popular tourist attraction. It is still in sailing condition and they take it out to sail around the harbor once a year. I have been on it and it is a grand reminder of the great sailing ships of yester year.
Let's take a look at the Star of India:
Turner was quoted by someone (maybe art historian, John Ruskin) as having said, "The sun is God." Certainly, his luministic works manifest his fascination with light and atmospheric perspective.
Yes...that be her. The Grand Lady of the sea. What is also fascinating is the interior of the ship. It has been preserved in its original condition, and it really makes one wonder how the seamen of the era were able to sail the seas so accurately with the tools they had at that time. Make Google Maps look like child's play.
How I discovered J.M.W. Turner is because I studied John Ruskiin during university where I majored in English Literature. Ruskin criticized Constable, but praised Turner and wrote much about him. Constable was a realist painter, and of course I saw many of his original paintings at the galleries in London where I spent most of my time enjoying the original works of Turner. When I was in London, I didn't bother with the usual sightseeing, but shopped in Harridges and spent most of my time in the Tate and National art galleries.
There was an article on the internet that I was going to post but never got around to it, about the competition between Turner and Constable, and the very different lives they lived.
At the end of one of the PIrates of the Caribbean movies, the first mate asks Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) who had just taken the wheel of the ship "Where are we headed?" and Sparrow replies "We'll follow the stars."
Indeed the seamen of old were pretty good astrologers, and were able to read the stars, sun and winds to find their way around the seas. A Friend of mine has a very old sextant that belonged to his Great-Great Grandfather who was aboard a merchant ship that sailed to many parts of the Pacific.
It was quite a confusing instrument if you didn't know how to use it, and that included myself.
According to art historians, Turner love mountains and Constable the sky, which he said, "set the tone of a painting". Constable was more "classical" (though not strictly so) but in terms of Turner, a romanticist and luminist, the contrast in style holds up. I love getting back to my art historian background.
Glad to have provoked good memories of your art history.
A totally awesome picture Mac. It's also rather surreal. Well done!!
The sailing ship, Yankee Clipper.
Red and I spent two weeks on her sailing the West Indies and it was romantic.
Romantic Realism:
Romantic Idealism:
MY REALISTIC Romantic IDEAL (It will happen):
An interesting threesome of images; the soft focus and luminism in the top image, the luminism in the snow scene and the "lights" in the wilderness, each in one way or another, IMO, possess elements of romanticism.
" the soft focus and luminism in the top image, the luminism in the snow scene and the "lights" in the wilderness"
My Loves !
"each in one way or another, IMO, possess elements of romanticism."
I agree !
The photo of the bench says the word "lonliness" to me, and the photo of the home by the water gave me a deep shot of nostalgia, because at one time, this was my home by the water, and I miss it terribly.
Here's another.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Magnificent shot Mac. Very Spiritual.
Romantic and colorful.
One more time!
© A. Mac/A.G.
That bird sure does travel...LOL.
I just HAD to post this here, because I'm so impressed that this photographer was able to imitate so many of the ancient Chinese paintings. Talk about ethereal....
Huangshan Mountain in East China's Anhui province [Photo by Liang Daming/cpanet.org.cn]