Which artistic movement predominantly appealed to emotions in the 19th century?

The artistic movement that predominantly appealed to emotions in the 19th century is Romanticism. This movement emerged as a reaction against the industrial revolution and the orderly approach of Neoclassicism, emphasizing individual feelings, nature, and the sublime. Romantic artists, poets, and musicians sought to express deep emotional experiences, often portraying themes of heroism, love, nature, and the supernatural.

Romanticism celebrated the power of the imagination and the beauty of the human spirit, encouraging artists to explore their inner feelings and experiences. This focus on emotion and personal expression distinguished Romanticism from other movements of the time, making it a crucial component of 19th-century art and culture.

The other movements mentioned, while significant in their own right, did not emphasize emotion to the same extent. Impressionism, for example, primarily focused on capturing light and its effects on color, the transient qualities of scenes, rather than deep emotional narratives. Neoclassicism adhered to idealized forms derived from Greco-Roman art, emphasizing rationality and order. Surrealism, which emerged later, was characterized by its focus on the unconscious and dream imagery but did not dominate the 19th century as Romanticism did.