Realism art – the story and the main features
More about realism art
Realism is an art style that emerged in the 30s and 40s of the 19th century. This happened in France. Here and in many other countries he played an essential role until 1880. On a global level too, realism was very important.
Like many other styles, realism can not be understood unless one knows the social context well enough.
Political and economic conditions at that time also played a very important role.
We return to the second half of the industrial revolution. This time was marked by the euphoric desire for progress and gain of more and more material values. Many great inventions were made, many great and great machines were designed and manufactured at that time.
One of the most famous paintings by Thomas Eakins
In painting, sculpture and architecture one finds a development that has many similarities in principle to literature from the same period.
More about the emergence and development of realism art
The era from which realism comes was marked by great social problems that, to a large extent, have jeopardized the existence of many people. The workers gathered in clubs to defend themselves. They were caught and punished.
One of the justifications of the existence of this specific style was to show reality in a clear and rough form. The truth should be shown objectively. The main theme was the struggle for survival from the lower social classes.
The stone breakers of Gustave Courbet
Realism art features
The lack of idealism is the first hallmark of this style. Then come the topics. They are mostly social. At its center are the poor social classes and also the contrast to the upper classes.
At the same time there is also a historical realism. This also affected the landscape painting. The painters presented the different landscapes in a realistic way and then added the details one by one.
Portraits and self-portraits were also very typical. It is striking that the human figure was depicted in a very realistic way.
The National Elections of George Caleb Bingham
The squire of Frank Blackwell Mayer
The washerwoman of Jean Baptiste Greuze
American Realism by George Bellows
Totalitarian regimes often benefit from realism
Even ideological leaders are very often portrayed in this style
Modern Realism – The Hope of Duffy Sheridan
Rubens on horseback – a portrait by Eugene Verboeckhoven
Still Life of Deborah Elmquist
The sunflowers of Manfred Juergens
Magic Realism by Michael Parkes
