How does Romanticism differ from Realism?

Romanticism and Realism represent distinct artistic and literary movements with contrasting philosophies and approaches. Romanticism, emerging in the late 18th century, emphasized emotion, imagination, individualism, and the subjective experience. It often drew inspiration from nature, the supernatural, and historical or exotic themes, valuing feeling over reason.123

In contrast, Realism, which gained prominence in the mid-19th century, focused on the accurate, detailed, and unembellished depiction of contemporary life and ordinary people. Realists rejected idealization and imaginative embellishment in favor of close observation of outward appearances and the truthful portrayal of everyday realities, often highlighting the lives and struggles of the middle and lower classes.456