What Is Realism in Art History?

Art|Art History

Realism in art history is the movement that focused on accurately portraying the world as it is. It began in the mid-19th century, as a reaction against the academic style of painting that had been popular for centuries previously.

The Realists sought to capture life “as it is” by focusing on everyday people, objects, and scenes. They wanted to show their subjects honestly, without idealizing or romanticizing them.

Realist artists painted scenes of everyday life, often focusing on working-class people and their surroundings. Their paintings were characterized by a detailed attention to light and shadow and a realistic use of color.

They also often depicted nature with a greater degree of accuracy than had been done previously. This careful observation of nature was particularly evident in the works of Realist landscape painters.

Realist painters also experimented with new techniques such as plein air painting, which involved painting outdoors in natural light. This technique allowed them to capture the subtle nuances of light and color that could not be seen in a studio setting. Realist painters also used photography as a tool for reference when creating their paintings.

Realism was part of an international movement that included literature, drama, and other forms of visual art. In literature, Realism focused on depicting characters realistically with accurate depictions of their thoughts and feelings rather than idealized versions. In drama, Realists sought to create plays that were based on real-life situations rather than fantastical ones.

Conclusion:

Realism in art history was an influential movement that sought to depict reality accurately without idealizing or romanticizing its subjects. It focused on everyday people and scenes from nature and experimented with new techniques such as plein air painting and photography for reference.

Realism was part of an international movement that included literature, drama, and other forms of visual art. The legacy of Realism lives on today in many contemporary works.