Formalism and Romanticism

Formalism and Romanticism

Art is an imitation. It is supposed to capture something significant about reality. It represents particular things, or formal traits shared by multiple things. There are two different theories of art, Formalism and Romanticism.

Formalism states that the purpose of art is to represent the forms or ideas that structure reality and guide behavior. Philosopher, Plato, claimed that that aesthetic beauty is an intelligible form, and a universal archetype. Figurative formalism and abstract formalism are the two forms of Formalism. Figurative Formalism is represented indirectly in the guise of a particular thing, which is used as an example of a symbol or form. Abstract Formalism represents the form directly, abstracted from particular things. In both versions of Formalism, the observer appreciates formal beauty through a special aesthetic sense or motion. Rationalists believe that experiencing a purely rational type of pleasure comes from art. They also believe that the proper attitude toward artwork is being “disinterested.”

In Romanticism, the major function is to express non-rational emotions. And why, you ask? One reason is because without a full range of experience, life is incomplete, and we are out of touch with ourselves and nature. The second reason is because these emotions can make us aware of a mysterious transcendent reality, deeper than one we relate to. Romantics argue that rational beauty is too narrow an aesthetic standard, and should be supplemented with sublime, or overwhelm.  The art theory that I think is most plausible is Romanticism.

(A) Romanticism has more explanatory breadth than Formalism. It does this because when you’re looking at a work of art you interpret it with emotion. In romanticism, art work should be expressed through emotion. In formalism, the proper attitude toward artwork is being disinterested.  

(B)  Romanticism has more explanatory depth than Formalism because of the emotion romanticists put into art. The emotion really makes all the difference. It makes the art seem more realistic and meaningful.  Those are things people connect to when they see the artwork. Formalism lacks emotion, therefore, people can’t have the same deep connection to that kind of art.

(C)   Formalism has more simplicity or has fewer parts than Romanticism because with Formalism, art it is presented without emotion, but in Romanticism, art has emotion and, therefore, everyone will have a different interpretation when they look at it, whereas, with formalism, they seem disinterested. There aren't as many interpretations that it can be looked at. So, Formalism is definitely simpler than Romanticism.

(D)  Romanticism has more conservatism because it is more consistent with our common sense beliefs because it expresses emotion and is realistic. Everyone will always have emotions and different things will touch different people, no matter what. Formalism art is the art of formal beauty that not very many people can connect with, like romanticism art is.

1. Formalism and Romanticism are the most plausible explanations for the theories of art.

2. Romanticism has more explanatory breadth, explanatory depth, and conservatism, whereas, Formalism has more Simplicity.

           3. Therefore, Romanticism is the best explanation of the theory of art