Romanticism, a movement flourishing from the late 18th to mid-19th centuries, was a rebellion against the cold rationality of the Enlightenment. Romantic painters turned away from the structured compositions and idealized forms of Neoclassicism, favoring instead a world brimming with emotion, imagination, and a connection to nature.

Their canvases came alive with dramatic landscapes. Caspar David Friedrich's "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" exemplifies this, portraying a lone figure dwarfed by a vast, misty mountain range. This evokes a sense of awe and the sublime, a recurring theme in Romantic art.

Emotions ran high in these works. Théodore Géricault's "The Raft of the Medusa" depicts the survivors of a shipwreck clinging to a makeshift raft, their faces etched with despair and defiance. History also provided inspiration, with Eugene Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" capturing the fervor of the French Revolution with a woman personifying liberty brandishing the tricolor flag.

Romanticism's impact extended far beyond the art world. Its emphasis on the individual and the power of emotions continues to resonate today. It fueled the rise of nationalism and the appreciation for natural beauty, shaping literature, music, and even our modern concept of love. The movement's legacy lives on, reminding us of the power of art to stir our hearts and challenge our minds.