The Romanticism in Mexico It was an artistic trend that appeared after the independence of the country and lasted until the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution. Its main characteristics were loneliness, sepulchral themes and melancholy.
The historical context in which this trend developed was that of the construction of a new country. For this it was necessary to set aside colonial customs and traditions, which is why nationalism became one of the most present facets in romantic works. In addition, popular customs and voices were also reflected and Mexican characters were introduced.
The forerunner of this trend in Mexico was José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, who wrote articles critical of the colonial government in El Pensador Mexicano, a newspaper founded by himself. In addition, he was also the author of the first Mexican novel, el Sarniento Parakeet, that incorporated some of the characteristic features of romanticism.
Later, during the historical period called Porfiriato, Romanticism was definitively imposed as the most followed artistic trend in the country. At that time two different trends appeared: the manners and the cultured.
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Romanticism was born in Germany and the United Kingdom at the end of the 18th century. At first it was a reaction to rationalism and classicism. The romantics placed sentiment at the center of their works and broke the classical stylistic rules.
Romanticism came to Mexico from Spain and France. As in Europe, it was a reaction against neoclassicism, but with a large component of rejection of tradition and privileges, represented then by the colonial elites..
Some authors mark the appearance of Romanticism in Mexico in the Grito de Dolores itself, the appeal with which the War of Independence began. Others, on the other hand, affirm that it did not appear until that conflict ended.
Since the declaration of Independence, Mexico went through a long period characterized by political instability. There was also an urgency to achieve national affirmation. That nationalism and the celebration of the triumph of freedom were two of the aspects that were most reflected in the romantic works..
The forerunner of the romanticist movement in Mexico was José Fernández de Lizardi. During the first years of the War of Independence, he edited a newspaper called El Pensador Mexicano, in which he published articles critical of the viceregal government..
Later, in 1816, Lizardi published the novel The Sarniento periquillo. This work has many romantic and traditional characteristics.
On the other hand, the literature of Mexican Romanticism was promoted from the creation of the Academia Letrán, in 1836. This association, whose activity lasted for two years, sought to Mexicanize literature and to emancipate itself from the Spanish. Its components began to be set in the production of other countries, especially France.
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Romanticism was the most followed current in this period, although divided into two different tendencies: the cultured and the manners..
Mexican Romanticism shares most of the characteristics of this movement born in Europe. However, it also has its own peculiarities generated by the historical context in which the country lived..
In this way, Romanticism in Mexico did not appear as a reaction against the neoclassical. Instead, Mexican artists sought to express their traditions and customs.
This trend was also characterized by combining journalism, positivism, politics or liberalism, all with a large dose of nationalism.
Romantic artists reflected loneliness, sepulchral themes and melancholy in their works. In Mexico, as has been pointed out, its nationalist character, the use of popular language and that of Mexican characters also stood out..
On the other hand, the artistic representations of Romanticism prioritized subjectivism and individualism, in addition to feelings and emotions over reason and objectivity. For this reason, imagination and fantasy were very present aspects.
Likewise, possibly due to the historical context, these artists were very aware of social problems. Freedom, death and madness were widely used themes in all genres.
As a response to rationalism and the neoclassical, the literature of Romanticism had to give importance to the individual and proclaimed freedom in all areas. For this current, the feeling was more important than the reason and, on many occasions, the romantics exalted loneliness and dissatisfaction.
In the literature produced in Mexico, the political essay and revolutionary harangues stood out..
Romantic painting in Mexico had a theme that stood out from the rest: the landscape. This type of painting was developed until the 19th century, first by foreign painters who settled in the country after independence, and later at the Academia de San Carlos..
The Mexican music of Romanticism received a great influence from Europe. As had happened in that continent and as it happened in the rest of Latin America, the piano was the instrument that gained the greatest prominence.
Manuel Acuña is considered the greatest exponent of the literature of Romanticism in Mexico. Born in Saltillo, he moved to Mexico City to study mathematics and philosophy, as well as some languages. Later he began medical studies, but his death, when he was 24 years old, prevented him from finishing them.
Despite his early death, his literary career was quite fruitful. His first work, an elegy on the death of Eduardo Alzúa, was published in 1869. That same year, together with several intellectuals, he founded the Sociedad Literaria Nezahualcóyotl.
Among his most outstanding works were Last, a drama that was performed with great public and critical success, and Night to Rosario, a poem dedicated to Rosario de la Peña.
The writer and poet Manuel Marías Flores was born in San Andrés Chalchicomula, in 1840. At the age of 19 he had to abandon his philosophy studies to participate in the War of the Reform on the liberal side..
Later, during the Second French Intervention, Flores was captured and confined in the Fortress of San Carlos de Perote. After his release, in 1867 he became a deputy and, in the cultural sphere, he joined a group of writers grouped around Ignacio Altamirano.
His most important work was Passionaries, a book that compiled poems and other types of writings. On the other hand, a diary of his life titled Fallen roses was born posthumously.
The greatest exponent of landscaping in Mexican painting was José María Velasco. Unlike the rest of his contemporaries, who preferred religious, manners or mythological themes, the painter born in Temascalcingo in 1840, chose to reflect Mexican countries.
Experts highlight his great technique and his use of colors. These qualities were very present in his paintings that represented the Valley of Mexico.
Born in Zacatecas City in 1854, Ernesto Elorduy Medina was one of the most important pianists and composers of the last years of the Romantic period in Mexico..
Within his work, dance rhythms stood out. These were played in the rooms where the typical social gatherings were held during the 19th century..
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