"Realism in the arts is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative and supernatural elements."
Art characterized by a focus on everyday people and situations, developed in Europe during the mid-19th century.
Philosophy of Realism: This topic explores the theoretical foundations of Realism as an art movement and its relation to the broader philosophical and cultural context in which it emerged.
Historical and Societal Context: This topic examines the social and historical factors that gave rise to Realism, including the changing cultural and economic landscape of the industrial revolution.
Techniques and Materials: This topic delves into the technical aspects of Realist art, including the use of light and shadow, and the materials used to create these works.
Subject Matter: Realism placed a high value on the depiction of everyday life and common people, as opposed to the idealized subjects traditionally depicted in art. This topic examines the themes commonly found in Realist artwork.
Key Artists: This topic looks at the work of Realism's major figures, such as Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, and Édouard Manet, and the impact they had on the movement.
Regional Variations: Realism manifested differently in different regions, such as the United States, France, and Britain. This topic explores those variations and what they reveal about the societies in which they developed.
Criticism and Reception: This topic looks at the critical reception of Realism during its emergence and its impact on subsequent art movements.
Legacy and Influence: Finally, this topic examines the lasting legacy of Realism in art history and its influence on contemporary art.
Naturalism Realism: Naturalism Realism arose in the 19th century, inspired by scientific observation and empirical evidence. This style aims to create an accurate representation of reality, with no idealization or romanticism.
Photography Realism: Photography Realism is an art movement that emerged in the mid-19th century. This style is influenced by photographic techniques that emphasize the sharpness of detail and the accuracy of representation.
Hyper-Realism: Hyper-Realism is a contemporary art form that strives to recreate reality in minute detail. This type of art portrays the world with photographic accuracy, creating works that are almost impossible to distinguish from photographs.
Social Realism: Social Realism originated in the early 20th century and aimed to represent the social and political issues of the working-class community. This style often portrays the unpleasant realities of life, such as poverty, hard labor, and oppression.
Magical Realism: Magical Realism is a genre that combines realistic narratives with fantastical elements. This type of art often blurs the line between the real and the surreal, creating a dream-like quality in the work.
Socialist Realism: Socialist Realism emerged in the Soviet Union in the 1930s and is characterized by its depiction of socialist values and the idealization of Soviet society. This style often depicts strong, patriotic workers and peasants in flattering and heroic ways.
Classical Realism: Classical Realism is a form of art that reflects the classical traditions of art. This style emphasizes the importance of form, balance, and harmony, and often features symbolic or allegorical figures.
New Realism: New Realism is an art movement that emerged in the 1960s and is characterized by its focus on everyday objects and consumer culture. This style often incorporates real, everyday objects into the artwork, creating a sense of realism and immediacy.
"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."