REALISM

Started in the 19th century as a reaction to

Romanticism. Began in France as a reaction to the

Revolution of 1848 and the continued struggle for democracy.

Coincided with the rise of socialism and Marxism.

Origins

Focused on the everyday lives of ordinary

people. Depicted life in the exact way it was seen. Rejected the emphasis on emotion that was

present in Romanticism. Showcased the working class to show their

importance (Socialism and Marxism influence).

Characteristics

French Realism

The Meeting (1854)Gustave Courbet was the "father" of the realist movement. He said that art was a concrete representation of life and therefore you had to paint real, concrete things.

The Stone Breakers (1849)

The Wave(1870)

The Gleaners (1857)Jean-François Millet was one of the founders of the Barbizon School of Realism which focused on the countryside and nature. Millet was known for his scenes of peasant farmers.

Woman BakingBread (1854)

The Potato Harvest (1855)

Jules Dupre, Barbizon School

The Old Oak (1870)

Théodore Rousseau Barbizon Landscape

(1850)

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot,

Barbizon School Ville d'Avray (1867)

Gargantua (1831)Honoré Daumier was a urban realist who focused on political and social commentary in his art.

Le Wagon de troisième classe or The Third-Class Carriage (1864)

Self-Portrait (1869)

Weaning of the Calves (1879)Rosa Bonheur was a female realist who was famous for her depictions of farm life and animals.

The Horse Fair (1855)

Ploughing in the Nivernais

(1848)

British Realism

The Vagrants (1868)Frederick Walker was the father of the English Social Realist Movement and focused on the working class and poor.

Fisherman and Gillie,

Glen Spean

The Old Gate (1875)

Hard Times (1885)Hubert von Herkomer was of German descent and as well as a painter was also a pioneer in the film industry. In his art he focused on the lives and conditions of the poor.

Our Village (1892)

The 'Schuhplattl' Dance (1873)

Russian Realism

The Peredvizhniki or Wanders were a group of Russian Realists who did traveling art shows. Their art protested against the

aristocracy and focused on the poor and beauty of folk tradition.

Vasily SurikovMorning of Streltsy's Execution

(1881)

Abram Arkhipov

The Washer Woman (1901)

Vassily Maximov Sick Husband (1881)

Viktor Vasnetsov

Grave-Digger (1871)

Ivan ShishkinMorning in a Pine Forest

(1878)

Leonid PasternakUnloading a Train Car

(1911)

Religious Procession in Kursk Province (1883)

Ilya Repin was probably the most renowned Russian Realist. He focused on religion and individuals. Repin and other Russian Realists were less focused on being "realistic" than other Realism Movements.

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1873)

Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (1891)

Realism in Literature

A focus on the everyday lives of normal people.

Middlemarch was an influential British realist novel

written by George Eliot (aka Mary Anne Evans). Honoré de Balzac was a famous French realist

author who is considered the father of Realism in literature.

Realist Poets: Theodor Fontane, Gustav Freytag, Gottfried Keller, Wilhelm Raabe, Adalbert Stifter, and Theodor Storm.

Russian Authors: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Ivan Turgenev

And of course, Charles Dickens was also a realist author.

Works and Authors