Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Romanticism and Contemporary Realism are two artistic movements that strongly impacted the cultural scene not only in Brazil but worldwide. They emerged as reactions to previous periods and bring profound social reflections and criticisms. Understanding these movements is essential for the formation of a solid cultural repertoire and for a better understanding of the historical and social contexts that shaped them.

Contextualization

The study of Romanticism and Contemporary Realism fits into a broad arc that encompasses the entire history of art, from its origins to the present day. These movements emerged as reactions to previous periods and, in turn, influenced later movements. In the Arts curriculum, they are situated after the study of Neoclassicism and Impressionism, respectively. Romanticism, with all its subjective characteristics and emphasis on feelings and emotions, is an important transition between classicism and realism. Contemporary Realism, with its critical and documentary gaze on everyday life, serves as a basis for understanding modern and contemporary movements.

Theoretical Development

Romanticism

• Historical and Social Context of Romanticism: Its origin dates back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period marked by political, industrial, and social revolutions. Romanticism, like these revolutions, was characterized by the exaltation of the individual and their emotions, as well as by criticism of a system of values and a society undergoing constant transformation.

• General Characteristics of Romanticism:

  • Subjectivism: The self is the center of everything, the expression of personal feelings, anxieties, and desires is valued.
  • Idealization of Nature: Nature is seen as the ideal setting for the manifestation of human feelings.
  • National Folk: Interest in national traditions and peculiarities was a constant inspiration.
  • Melancholy and Escapism: Melancholy, suffering, and the desire to escape from reality are common themes.

• Brazilian Romanticism:

  • Indianism: Literary trend that exalted the indigenous people as national heroes, embodying the struggle for freedom and independence in Brazil.
  • Nationalism: Emphasized the identity and peculiarities of the Brazilian people, in contrast to European culture.
  • Mal du Siècle: Recurring theme expressing existential boredom, anguish, and sadness.

Contemporary Realism

• Historical and Social Context of Contemporary Realism: Emerges in the 20th century, amidst two world wars and a scenario of profound social, technological, and cultural changes. Contemporary Realism reflects the fragmentation of modernity, disillusionment with progress, and criticism of consumer society.

• General Characteristics of Contemporary Realism:

  • Objectivity and Impressionism: Art seeks to portray reality faithfully, focusing on the precise representation of scenes and situations.
  • Social Critique: Contemporary Realism is characterized by its strong criticisms of the political, economic, and social systems in place.
  • Documentalism: Art becomes a means to document reality, its problems, and contradictions.
  • Distanced Subjectivity: The artist does not try to express their own feelings but rather to portray situations and characters with maximum fidelity.

• Contemporary Realism in Literature and Visual Arts:

  • Political and Social Trends: Contemporary realistic literature addresses themes such as social inequality, class struggle, racism, feminism, among others.
  • Stripped-down Style: Both in literature and visual arts, Contemporary Realism is marked by a direct, objective, and stripped-down style of writing and visual representation.
  • Deconstruction of Clichés: The movement aims to deconstruct preconceived ideas and concepts, seeking a more profound and complex view of reality.

Detailed Summary

Key Points:

• Romanticism:

  • Romanticism emerged as a reaction to the Enlightenment, exalting subjectivism and valuing individual feelings and emotions.
  • The idealization of nature and the emphasis on national traditions are striking characteristics of the movement.
  • In the Brazilian literary scene, Indianism stood out, a trend that exalted the indigenous people as symbols of Brazil's identity and struggle for freedom.
  • Melancholy and the theme of the 'mal du siècle' demonstrate the influence of social and historical changes on romantic thought.

• Contemporary Realism:

  • Emerged in the 20th century, driven by reflections on the world wars and social and technological transformations.
  • Focuses on the raw representation of reality, with strong criticisms of the current political, economic, and social systems.
  • Contemporary realism has embraced a variety of themes, such as social inequality, class struggle, racism, and feminism.
  • Values objectivity, documentalism, and distancing from subjectivity.

Conclusions:

• Romanticism:

  • Romanticism, with its emphasis on subjectivity and the exaltation of emotions, constituted an important break from Enlightenment rationality and a harbinger of contemporary thought.
  • The use of nature and folklore as expressions of emotions and national identity marked Brazilian Romanticism.

• Contemporary Realism:

  • Contemporary Realism, with its critical and objective view of reality, gave rise to various trends in art and literature of the 20th and 21st centuries.
  • Social critique and the pursuit of faithful representation of reality are fundamental characteristics of Contemporary Realism.

Exercises:

1. Compare the main characteristics of Romanticism and Contemporary Realism. What are the points of convergence and divergence between these two movements?
2. Analyze the poem 'Canção do Exílio' by Gonçalves Dias and the short story 'O Espelho' by Machado de Assis. Identify the romantic and realistic elements present in each.
3. Research a contemporary artist of your preference and discuss which artistic movement they fit into best. Justify your answer based on the characteristics of the movement.