Romanticism vs. Formalism

            There are two important aesthetic theories that are used to judge artwork, which are Romanticism and Formalism. These two sides are very significant because our world is filled with art all around us. Romanticism believes that art is about emotional self-awareness and non-rational emotions that helps make us able to realize how to improve ourselves, others and society in different mysterious ways. On the other side of the argument, formalism is the belief that art is viewed to evoke the beauty and pleasure content in abstract and figurative ways that should give us insight. Romanticism is more plausible when judging art. The characteristics of Romanticism better classify what true art accurately is.

            Romanticism explains more works of art than the other, which makes it explanatory breadth. Formalism only focuses on certain works of arts that evoke pleasure and beauty. The definition narrows down a lot of piece of work because for some artists that is not always the purpose. Beauty and pleasure are not the only emotions involved in art. Formalism therefore neglects the other varieties of emotions that can be elaborated during works of art. Art allows us to express any type of emotion we are experience. There is no way that we feel beauty and pleasure all the time. Romanticism does not focus on one or two emotions while it explains that the major part is non-rational emotions. It also elaborates that one needs experiences to be in touch with ourselves and then aware of our emotions and reality. There are more works of art that agree with Romanticism because there is no restriction. Therefore making Romanticism have more explanatory breadth and explain more works of art than formalism.

            Romanticism explains more aspects in greater detail than formalism making it include more explanatory depth. Romanticism includes more varieties of art and emotions with more clarity and detail. Romanticism is not limited while judging a piece of work. It understands and takes rationality into thought. They believe that their pieces of artwork should have their audience think and have strong feelings. Romanticism goes into an abstract manner which formalism neglects. Formalism is too narrow-minded and that is why it is so unsuccessful. Romanticism is more detailed in the emotional aspect, while formalism only includes beauty and pleasure.

            Simplicity is when one has fewer parts than another and the theory that does this is formalism. Formalism only focuses on beauty and pleasure while romanticism opens up to the wide variety of emotions that can be incorporated into a piece of art. Romanticism has more parts making it more complicated because it goes into deeper meanings not only by emotion but also by experiences and what one feels after viewing the artwork. However, romanticism being complicated does not make it bad it just has more value and explanation to its meaning. Formalism does not have their viewers aware of the mysterious reality like romanticism does.

            Romanticism is the theory that is more coherent with the current and common sense beliefs today, making it more conservatism than formalism. More people would agree with that fact that beauty and pleasure cannot be the only emotions included in pieces of work. As art has evolved so has the emotions put into the work. People do not want restrictions and limitations when judging and viewing artwork because now there are so many things that are considered art. If an art gallery only used pieces with beauty and pleasure it would not be that successful. People are not always feeling beauty and pleasure. Romanticism expresses more meaning to the pieces of work especially after one leaves because their view makes people aware of the mysterious reality. Today more people are going thinking differently than before and want more freedom especially with the way they feel.  

            In conclusion, romanticism is more plausible of an explanation when viewing what art truly is and judging pieces of artwork. Art is powerful and can change the world. However, it cannot be powerful and have restrictions. Therefore, romanticism allows the freedom to create and love what we feel. Romanticism is long lasting because we relate deeper into the piece of work.

1. Romanticism and Formalism are the most plausible explanations of judging pieces of artwork.

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

3. Therefore, Romanticism is the best explanation of judging pieces of artwork.