4.1 Defining characteristics and principles of Realism

Realism emerged in the 1800s as a reaction to Romanticism. Artists aimed to depict the world as it truly was, without idealization. They focused on everyday subjects and contemporary issues, using careful observation to capture reality.

Realist artists emphasized objectivity and empiricism. They conducted extensive studies from life, avoided idealized types, and often incorporated social commentary. This approach aligned with the era's growing emphasis on scientific inquiry and progressive social causes.

Key Features of Realist Art

Depicting the World Without Idealization

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• Realist art aimed to depict the world as it was, without idealization or romanticization
  • Contrasted with movements like Romanticism and Neoclassicism which often featured idealized or romanticized subjects and themes
  • Realist artists sought to present an unvarnished, truthful depiction of reality, eschewing the subjectivity and idealism of other movements
• Realist artworks typically featured a high level of detail and accuracy in the representation of people, objects, and environments
  • Achieved through careful observation and study, including extensive sketches and studies from life
  • Realist artists paid close attention to the details of their subjects' appearances (clothing, facial features, surroundings) to create a sense of verisimilitude

Focus on Contemporary Subjects and Everyday Life

• Realist artists often focused on contemporary subjects and scenes from everyday life
  • Included the working class and peasantry, rather than historical, mythological, or religious themes
  • Depicted subjects engaged in everyday activities or work, rather than in posed or artificial settings, to convey a sense of authenticity and immediacy
• Realist art frequently conveyed social and political commentary
  • Highlighted the realities and hardships faced by various segments of society
  • Aligned with progressive social and political causes, using art to critique societal injustices and advocate for change

Naturalistic Techniques and Styles

• Realist artists often used a muted, naturalistic color palette
  • Avoided the dramatic lighting and compositional techniques employed by other movements
  • Sought to capture the natural lighting and atmosphere of their subjects by painting en plein air, or outdoors
• Realist artists avoided the use of idealized or generic types
  • Favored depicting specific, individual characters with unique physical characteristics and expressions
  • Conducted extensive studies and sketches from life to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of their depictions

Philosophical Foundations of Realism

Emergence in the Aftermath of 1848 Revolutions

• Realism emerged in the aftermath of the 1848 revolutions in Europe
  • Revolutions challenged traditional social and political structures and called for greater democracy and equality
  • Realist art was seen as a democratizing force, making art more accessible and relevant to a broader audience by depicting subjects and themes that resonated with their everyday experiences
• Realist artists often aligned themselves with progressive social and political causes
  • Used their art to critique societal injustices and advocate for change
  • Reflected the growing demand for social and political reform in the wake of the revolutions

Influence of Positivism and Scientific Inquiry

• Realist artists were influenced by the ideas of positivism
  • Positivism emphasized the importance of objective observation and scientific inquiry in understanding the world
  • Realist artists placed a high value on direct observation and the study of the visible world as the basis for their art
• The emphasis on empiricism in Realist art reflected the growing influence of scientific methods
  • Demonstrated a belief in the importance of objective, verifiable knowledge
  • Realist artists sought to develop a deep understanding of the physical and material properties of the objects and environments they depicted (effects of light, texture, atmosphere)

Rejection of Romanticism and Idealism

• The Realist movement rejected the idealism and subjectivity of Romanticism
  • Instead sought to present an unvarnished, truthful depiction of reality
  • Realist artists avoided the use of idealized or generic types in favor of depicting specific, individual characters with unique physical characteristics and expressions
• Realist art aimed to depict the world as it was, without idealization or romanticization
  • Contrasted with the idealized and romanticized subjects and themes often featured in Romantic and Neoclassical art
  • Realist artists focused on contemporary subjects and scenes from everyday life, rather than historical, mythological, or religious themes

Objective Depiction in Realist Art

Extensive Studies and Sketches from Life

• Realist artists conducted extensive studies and sketches from life to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of their depictions
  • Made extensive use of sketches, studies, and preparatory drawings to carefully observe and record the details of their subjects before creating finished works
  • Paid close attention to the details of their subjects' appearances (clothing, facial features, surroundings) to create a sense of verisimilitude
• Realist artists often painted en plein air, or outdoors
  • Allowed them to capture the natural lighting and atmosphere of their subjects
  • Demonstrated their commitment to direct observation and the study of the visible world

Avoidance of Idealization and Generic Types

• Realist artists avoided the use of idealized or generic types
  • Instead favored depicting specific, individual characters with unique physical characteristics and expressions
  • Aimed to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy by depicting subjects engaged in everyday activities or work, rather than in posed or artificial settings
• Realist artworks typically featured a high level of detail and accuracy in the representation of people, objects, and environments
  • Achieved through careful observation and study, including extensive sketches and studies from life
  • Reflected the Realist commitment to presenting an unvarnished, truthful depiction of reality

Depiction of Everyday Activities and Work

• Realist artists often depicted their subjects engaged in everyday activities or work
  • Aimed to convey a sense of authenticity and immediacy by showing people in their natural, everyday settings
  • Avoided posed or artificial settings in favor of more naturalistic and realistic depictions
• Realist art frequently focused on contemporary subjects and scenes from everyday life
  • Included the working class and peasantry, rather than historical, mythological, or religious themes
  • Sought to make art more accessible and relevant to a broader audience by depicting subjects and themes that resonated with their everyday experiences

Observation and Empiricism in Realism

Emphasis on Direct Observation and Study

• Realist artists placed a high value on direct observation and the study of the visible world as the basis for their art
  • Conducted extensive studies and sketches from life to carefully observe and record the details of their subjects before creating finished works
  • Often painted en plein air, or outdoors, to capture the natural lighting and atmosphere of their subjects
• Realist artists sought to develop a deep understanding of the physical and material properties of the objects and environments they depicted
  • Studied the effects of light, texture, and atmosphere to create highly detailed and accurate representations
  • Reflected the growing influence of scientific methods and the belief in the importance of objective, verifiable knowledge

Use of Sketches, Studies, and Preparatory Drawings

• Realist artists often made extensive use of sketches, studies, and preparatory drawings
  • Allowed them to carefully observe and record the details of their subjects before creating finished works
  • Demonstrated their commitment to empirical observation and the accurate representation of their subjects
• Sketches and studies from life were essential to the Realist process
  • Enabled artists to capture the unique physical characteristics and expressions of their subjects
  • Provided a foundation for the high level of detail and accuracy seen in finished Realist artworks

Influence of Scientific Methods and Technologies

• The emphasis on empiricism in Realist art reflected the growing influence of scientific methods
  • Realist artists sought to develop a deep understanding of the physical and material properties of the objects and environments they depicted (effects of light, texture, atmosphere)
  • Demonstrated a belief in the importance of objective, verifiable knowledge as the basis for artistic representation
• Realist artists often worked from photographs or used optical devices
  • Devices such as the camera obscura aided in the accurate representation of their subjects
  • Use of technologies demonstrated their commitment to empirical observation and the precise rendering of the visible world