Does "was galvanized" here mean "got popular and common"?
Context:
The temptation for artists to depict themselves in a ridiculous manner began in visual art in the Middle Ages, was galvanized in the Romantic period, and continues today in contemporary art.
Essentially, yes. 'Galvanised' / 'Galvanized' (UK / US spellings) is a word which, in its figurative sense, means 'energised' so the idea the author is getting across is that there were more people doing this in the Romantic period; the concept had really taken off as a popular act.
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Essentially, yes. 'Galvanised' / 'Galvanized' (UK / US spellings) is a word which, in its figurative sense, means 'energised' so the idea the author is getting across is that there were more people doing this in the Romantic period; the concept had really taken off as a popular act.