Realism, a mid-19th-century movement, emerged as a reaction against the idealized and romanticized depictions prevalent in art. Championed by artists such as Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet, Realism sought to portray everyday life and social realities with unflinching accuracy. Rejecting fantastical elements, Realist works addressed issues of industrialization, urbanization, and social inequality.
In painting, Realists depicted the mundane aspects of contemporary existence, often focusing on rural scenes, laborers, and the hardships of the working class. The movement aimed to capture the truth of the human condition, employing detailed observation and a commitment to objective representation.
Realism marked a shift toward a more truthful and unembellished portrayal of the world, laying the foundation for subsequent movements like Impressionism. It played a crucial role in challenging artistic conventions and fostering a new approach to visual storytelling.
Ilya Repin
Jean-François Millet
Honoré Daumier
Gustave Doré