Classical vs. Romantic Art Techniques

                The major distinction between classical and romantic values is that classicists 

        promote development of the intellect, reason and logic (which includes tempering 
        of the emotions), while romantic focus on emotion, often extremes of emotion.  

               Classical values began in classical antiquity (the philosophers of ancient Greece 

               and Rome).   Romantics values mostly come from medieval Europe (Romantics 

               also valued the works of the Greek tragedians).

               Classicists celebrate society (its public) and promote its amelioration; romantics 

         promote individuality and subjectivity (its private / personal).

                Classical art usually displays calmness, serenity, and happiness while romantic  
         art often displays melancholy, anger, ecstasy, emotional volatility, and often tragedy.


   In the Visual Arts


             1.  Classical artists prefer straight horizonal and vertical lines, right angles, and 

                  rectangles

                  Romantic artists prefer diagonal lines and curves

             2.  Classical artists prefer clear, crisp outlines of their figures 
 
                  Romantic artists prefer less distinct, smudged outlines

             3.  Classical artists usually prefer brightness (sunshine)

                  Romantic artists often prefer darkness (clouds, storms, turbulent waters)

 Early 16th Century (Renaissance)  -  Classical

Development of the intellect, emotional security

Early 17th Century (Baroque) - Romantic

 Spooky, Ominous

Early 18th Century (Baroque) - Romantic

  

Busy, Complicated, Emotional, Sensual

Late 1700s  -  Classical

 

Simple, Clean, Elegant, Refined

Intellectual, calmness, security, morality, strength of character

Early 19th Century  -  Romantic

 

Mysterious

Mystical, Spooky

Mayhem, Tragedy

Emotionalism, Mental Instability

   In Music

             1.  Classical composers prefer a steady pulse, like a clock  (stability)

                  Romantic composers often speed up or slow down the pulse: rubato  (flux)

             2.  Classical composers prefer a steady flow of notes   (predictability)

                  Romantic composers often use hesitation, sudden stops, dramatic silences (surprise)  
 
             3.  Classical composers use consistent volumes or moderate volume changes  (tempered 

                  emotions)

                  Romantic composers often change volumes quickly and drastically  (emotional 

                   extremes)

             4.  Classical composers usually use major keys and scales (bright & cheery) 
                  and consonance (pleasant harmonies)          Online piano

                  Romantic composers often use minor keys (dark, unhappy) and dissonance 
                  (unpleasant harmonies / notes that clash) 

             5.  Classical usually produce a single, clear melody with distinct harmonies 

                  Romantic composers often produce somewhat blurrier melody lines and 

                  ambiguous harmonies

             6.  Classical composers like to stress the form and  logic of their works, seemingly 

                  saying to listeners "Did you notice how well planned and organized my work is?"

                  Romantic composers tend to hide this aspect of their composing, instead giving the

                  impression that the music is a spontaneous outpouring of emotion, as in the 

                  genre impromptu.