The Enduring Conflict: Romanticism, Rationalism, and Modern Art's Essence

The Revolutionary Spirit of Romanticism

Romanticism is the essence of modern art. It possesses a strong revolutionary tendency, opposing Classicism and its criticisms, breaking traditional guidelines and values to defend authentic freedom. The Romantic individual, in addition to rebelling against the inherited world order, opposes the separation between reason and feeling, and between the real and the unreal.

The Romantic rejects being merely a piece of nature's mechanism; instead, they express their individuality, creativity, and transformation.

Romanticism vs. The Enlightenment: An Unresolved Conflict

Romanticism emerged as a direct response to Classicism, which was the most recent manifestation of the rationalist wave carried out by the Age of Enlightenment. While the rational Enlightenment championed individual rights, focused on linear logic, and sought absolute answers by dissecting the world, Romanticism inherited this tradition but simultaneously began to dissolve its rigid structure.

This enduring conflict between rationalism and romanticism remains unresolved, evident in themes found everywhere, from movies to presidential speeches.

Differentiating Global Romantic Currents

Generally, two types of Romanticism are differentiated worldwide:

• Interior Romanticism
• Exterior Romanticism

Interior Romanticism (The Self-Centered Focus)

This current is closely related to the movement in Europe. It tends to be more self-centered; the hero of Romantic literature focuses on the self, prioritizing personal feelings and inward sentimentality. It emphasizes introspection and the individual's relationship with the world.

Exterior Romanticism (The Revolutionary Social Focus)

In contrast, the external current has a very marked revolutionary streak, particularly evident in places like Spain. It engages with social issues, delving into human feelings in relation to nature, society, and matters of social injustice. This form of Romanticism is inherently revolutionary.

Romanticism, Individualism, and Egocentrism

The focus of Romanticism changes and takes its own trend in each country and region. In many European countries, Romanticism adopted a more self-centered tone, linking to individualism, introspection, and the relationship between self-knowledge and self-esteem, often leading to discussions about egocentrism.

It is often argued that Romanticism is fundamentally egocentric. However, based on the movement's broader scope, it represents the human relationship with the surrounding world—beyond mere reason—and how we interpret that relationship, which can sometimes manifest as self-centeredness.