"Realism in the arts is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative and supernatural elements."
The social, political, and cultural climate during the Realism movement, and how it influenced the movement.
Industrialization: The process of economic development that led to the rise of large-scale manufacturing and the growth of urban centers.
Social Darwinism: The belief that some races and social classes are inherently superior to others, which influenced the ideas of many writers during this time.
Romanticism: A movement that emphasized emotion and individualism over reason and tradition, which preceded the rise of realism.
Naturalism: A literary movement that focused on the harsh realities of life, often depicting characters in poverty or facing other forms of hardship.
Societal class structures: The hierarchical system that existed during this period, with the upper classes often enjoying economic and political power over those in the lower classes.
The role of religion: Religion played a significant role in society during the Realism era, often seen in works of literature and other forms of art.
Immigration and Emigration: The mass movement of people to and from different regions, which had a significant impact on social and political issues during the Realism era.
The rise of science and technology: The rapid advancements in science and technology that fueled economic and social progress in the nineteenth century.
Political and social revolutions: The most notable revolutions of this century were the American Revolution and the French Revolution, which greatly impacted the development of Realism.
Historical movements and events: Many historical movements and events, including the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery, greatly influenced the writers of the Realism era.
"Naturalism seeks to depict objects with the least possible amount of distortion and is tied to the development of linear perspective and illusionism in Renaissance Europe."
"In 19th-century Europe, 'Naturalism' or the 'Naturalist school' was somewhat artificially erected as a term representing a breakaway sub-movement of realism."
"Realism was motivated by the renewed interest in the common man and the rise of leftist politics."
"The realist painters rejected Romanticism, which had come to dominate French literature and art."
"The French Revolution of 1848."
"Realism was motivated by the renewed interest in the common man."
"Artists like Gustave Courbet capitalized on the mundane, ugly or sordid."
"Realism... often refers to a specific art historical movement that originated in France in the aftermath of the French Revolution of 1848. With artists like Gustave Courbet capitalizing on the mundane, ugly or sordid, realism was motivated by the renewed interest in the common man and the rise of leftist politics."
"There have been various movements invoking realism in the other arts, such as the opera style of verismo, literary realism, theatrical realism, and Italian neorealist cinema."
"The term [realism] is often used interchangeably with naturalism."
"Naturalism... seeks to depict objects with the least possible amount of distortion and is tied to the development of linear perspective and illusionism in Renaissance Europe."
"Romanticism... had come to dominate French literature and art, with roots in the late 18th century."
"The opera style of verismo."
"A breakaway sub-movement of realism [that] attempted to distinguish itself from its parent by its avoidance of politics and social issues."
"Playing on the sense of 'naturalist' as a student of natural history."
"Realism was motivated by... the rise of leftist politics."
"Realism in the arts is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality."
"Naturalism seeks to depict objects with the least possible amount of distortion and is tied to the development of linear perspective and illusionism in Renaissance Europe."
"The aftermath of the French Revolution of 1848."