3.2 Realism and the critique of academic art

Realism shook up the art world in the 1800s. Critics started pushing for art that showed real life instead of fancy myths or history. They wanted paintings of regular folks doing everyday stuff, not just kings and gods.

This new way of thinking about art fit with bigger changes happening in society. People were getting interested in science and social issues. Art critics helped spread these ideas and made space for new types of art to be taken seriously.

Emergence of Realist Art Criticism

Challenging Academic Art Conventions

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• In the mid-19th century, Realist art critics began challenging the idealized and romanticized subjects and techniques promoted by the academic art establishment
• Realist critics argued that art should depict the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people, rather than historical, mythological, or religious themes favored by the academy (peasants, working class)
• They advocated for a more honest and direct approach to representation, eschewing the polished finish and artificiality of academic painting techniques (plein air painting)
• Realist critics promoted the use of contemporary subjects and a focus on the social and political issues of the time (industrialization, urbanization)

Alignment with Broader Realist Movement

• The Realist movement in art criticism emerged alongside the wider Realist movement in literature and philosophy, which emphasized objective observation and social commentary
• Realist art critics were influenced by the ideas of social reformers and political philosophers who argued for greater equality and justice for the working class
• The Realist movement in art criticism was part of a broader cultural shift towards a more scientific and empirical approach to understanding the world, as exemplified by the rise of positivism and the social sciences

Realist Art Critics' Advocacy

Championing Realist Artists and Principles

• Realist art critics played a crucial role in challenging the authority of the academic art establishment and promoting a new vision for art
• They used their writing and influence to champion artists who embraced Realist principles (Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet)
• Realist critics encouraged artists to engage with contemporary social and political issues, rather than idealized or historical subjects
• They argued that art should be accessible and relevant to a wider audience, not just the educated elite

Legitimizing New Genres and Markets

• Realist critics helped to legitimize new genres of art, which had previously been considered inferior to history painting (landscape, still life)
• Through their advocacy, Realist critics helped to create a new market and audience for Realist art, paving the way for the development of modern art movements
• Realist critics were responding to the changing nature of the art market, as the traditional system of patronage by the church and aristocracy was giving way to a more commercial and bourgeois art world

Context for Realist Art Criticism

Social and Political Upheavals

• The emergence of Realist art criticism was closely tied to the social and political upheavals of the mid-19th century (revolutions of 1848, rise of industrialization and urbanization)
• Realist critics were influenced by the ideas of social reformers and political philosophers, who argued for greater equality and justice for the working class
• The Realist movement in art criticism was closely linked to the rise of socialism and left-wing political movements, which sought to challenge the established social and economic order

Changing Art Market and Cultural Shifts

• Realist critics were responding to the changing nature of the art market, as the traditional system of patronage by the church and aristocracy was giving way to a more commercial and bourgeois art world
• The Realist movement in art criticism was part of a broader cultural shift towards a more scientific and empirical approach to understanding the world, as exemplified by the rise of positivism and the social sciences
• Realist art criticism contributed to a broader cultural shift towards a more democratic and accessible vision of art, which would be further developed by later modern art movements

Lasting Impact of Realist Art Criticism

Foundations for Modern Art

• Realist art criticism played a crucial role in laying the foundations for the development of modern art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• By challenging the authority of the academic art establishment and promoting a more honest and direct approach to representation, Realist critics helped to open up new possibilities for artistic expression
• The Realist emphasis on contemporary subjects and social commentary paved the way for the development of later modern art movements (Impressionism, Post-Impressionism)
• Realist art criticism also helped to legitimize new genres of art, which would become important areas of experimentation for modern artists (landscape, still life)

Ongoing Influence on Contemporary Art

• The legacy of Realist art criticism can be seen in the continued emphasis on social and political engagement in contemporary art
• Realist art criticism contributed to ongoing debates over the role and purpose of art in society
• The Realist movement's focus on accessible and democratic art continues to influence contemporary artists and art institutions (public art, community-based projects)
• Realist art criticism's challenge to traditional hierarchies and conventions in the art world paved the way for more diverse and inclusive approaches to art-making and criticism