Stephanie Bellofiore

Professor Gilliland

Philosophy 100 Sec 24N

12/2/14

Aesthetics: Formalism vs. Romanticism

Art is the expression of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form. These works are appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. There are a variety of standards that are used to judge artworks. Two methods that are used are: Formalism and Romanticism. Formalism is the view that art should be judged based on formal beauty and rationality. This view states that beauty is the unity or orderly arrangement of various parts. The artwork should give us rational insight and should not be judged with emotion. Romanticism however, is the belief that art is not limited to rational components but allows the viewer to evaluate art on the emotions the artwork conveys.

                In my opinion, I feel that romanticism is the more plausible way to judge artworks. This method allows the artwork to be viewed on rational elements and nonrational emotions. The purpose of this method is to make us aware of a mysterious transcendent reality.

Romanticism has more explanatory breadth than Formalism does. This is due to the fact that romanticist judge artwork based on rationality and how the artwork impacts the viewer on an emotional level. Formalism does not include the emotional aspect of artwork. They are limited to how the artwork is arranged, which to this method, is the beauty of the artwork. Clearly, Romanticism explains more works of art than the other.

Romanticism has more explanatory depth than Formalism does. This is because Romanticism examines artwork in greater detail than Formalism does. Romanticism not only takes rationality into consideration but also emotions as well while judging artwork. They believe that artwork should leave its audience having strong emotions on the piece. Each individual reacts differently to the artwork. In this method’s opinion, this is the beauty of the artwork. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, is one the most famous painting in the world. This is because there are many different interpretations on the painting. People closely examine it to find out the identity of Mona Lisa and have their own opinions on the reason behind her secretive smile.  Formalism does not view artwork in an abstract manner and ultimately loses the true meaning of art. It does not take into consideration the emotion of the art at all. This is why Romanticism is able to go into greater detail of the emotional aspect of art while Formalism cannot. Formalism does not go in as great of detail as romanticism because they do not include the emotional component at all while judging artwork.

Formalism has fewer parts than Romanticism. Formalism focuses only on the abstract form of the artwork. This means it only judges art based on the arrangement of various parts. In Romanticism, emotion is also taken into consideration. This makes it more complicated because emotions can vary from person to person. Not all people will view the artworks in the same way. Formalism has more simplicity because all people view the artwork in a similar way, based on form.

Romanticism has more conservatism than Formalism does. Romanticism is much more consistent with our current, common sense belief. Nowadays, many people judge artwork using their emotions rather than purely on structured form. People enjoy interpreting pieces of art based on the emotions they have while viewing it. Many people would not agree with Formalism because they feel artwork has more meaning and value than just it's rational form.

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

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

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