Romanticism was an art and literature movement which had originated in the late 18th century in Europe. This movement was known for a new interest in human psychology, expression of personal feeling and interest in the natural world. It rejected the values and practices of the Age of Enlightenment and the church.

The difference between Romanticism and Enlightenment was that Romanticism supported and influenced the growth of creativity, emotion and an individual; believed that the universe grew in accord to the will of nature, On the other hand Enlightenment supports and influences the growth of science, industrialisation, reason and civil society; It is fixated by laws.

Edmund Burke’s definition of the Sublime: An artistic effect productive of the strongest emotion the mind is capable of feeling. He said the sublime comprises a state of astonishment, where “all its motions are suspended” and the power of reasoning is lost, coupled with the infinity of an object who cannot be seen distinctly, and therefore cannot be compared against others.

In other words, the Sublime is a term used to describe something that is extraordinary, invoking a powerful mix of awe, wonder, terror, and drama; something that is beautiful yet tragic.

This is an example of a painting that interprets what the sublime may look like. This shows how beautiful but also powerful nature can be; it is able to cause destruction and damage to individuals and it’s surroundings but can also be attracting.