Realism in art refers to the depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life. Realism is often associated with the art of the nineteenth century, but it can also be found in earlier works. The term “realism” can also refer to a specific type of literature that attempts to describe life without idealization or Romanticism.
Realism first emerged as a response to the idealized depictions of life that were popular in the eighteenth century. Artists such as Jean-Baptiste Chardin and Antoine Watteau sought to create works that were more accurate representations of everyday life. This trend continued in the nineteenth century, with artists such as Gustave Courbet and Honoré Daumier creating works that showed the everyday lives of the working classes. Realism reached its peak in the late nineteenth century, with the works of Édouard Manet and Auguste Renoir.
However, realism was not without its critics. Many artists felt that it lacked the emotion and beauty of Romanticism. In addition, some critics argued that realism was too “ugly” and that it did not reflect the true nature of life.
Despite its critics, realism continued to be a popular style of art in the twentieth century. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque used it to create works that were expressive and powerful. Today, realism is still a popular style of art, with many artists using it to create works that are both realistic and expressive.
