What cultural movement in the 19th century reacted against the rationalism of the Enlightenment?

Romanticism emerged in the 19th century as a cultural movement that sought to express emotional depth, individualism, and a connection to nature, contrasting sharply with the rationalism emphasized during the Enlightenment. While the Enlightenment celebrated reason, scientific thought, and objective analysis, Romanticism valued intuition, imagination, and personal experience. This movement arose in response to the perceived limitations of Enlightenment thinking, advocating for a greater appreciation of the arts, the beauty of the natural world, and the complexities of human emotion.

The works produced during this period often focused on themes of nostalgia, the sublime, and the power of nature, further distinguishing Romanticism from the preceding rationalist philosophy. In literature, art, and music, Romantics often embraced individual feelings and the heroic aspects of human spirit, seeking to transcend the strict boundaries set by Enlightenment rationalism.