8.2 Realism

Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to rapid social change. It aimed to depict the world as it truly was, without romanticization, influenced by scientific thinking and empirical observation.

The movement focused on ordinary people and everyday situations, rejecting idealized portrayals. Realist artists and writers sought to analyze human behavior and social conditions with scientific rigor, emphasizing objective representation and contemporary issues.

Origins of realism

• Emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to rapid industrialization and social change
• Sought to depict the world as it truly was, without romanticization or idealization
• Influenced by the rise of scientific thinking and empirical observation

Historical context

Top images from around the web for Historical context

• 

  Industrialization and Technological Innovation | US History II (American Yawp) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (art movement) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Industrialization and Technological Innovation | US History II (American Yawp) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Historical context

• 

  Industrialization and Technological Innovation | US History II (American Yawp) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (art movement) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Industrialization and Technological Innovation | US History II (American Yawp) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Developed during a period of significant social and economic upheaval (Industrial Revolution)
• Urbanization led to new social problems and class struggles
• Advances in technology and science challenged traditional beliefs and worldviews

Reaction to romanticism

• Rejected romantic notions of idealized beauty and heroic individuals
• Focused on ordinary people and everyday situations instead of grand historical events
• Emphasized objective observation over subjective emotional expression

Influence of scientific method

• Adopted a more systematic approach to observing and representing reality
• Incorporated principles of empiricism and objectivity in artistic and literary works
• Sought to analyze human behavior and social conditions with scientific rigor

Key characteristics of realism

• Aimed to represent the world as it actually appeared, without embellishment
• Focused on contemporary social issues and the lives of ordinary people
• Rejected idealized or romanticized portrayals in favor of accuracy and authenticity

Objective representation

• Strived for accurate depiction of physical reality and human behavior
• Avoided sentimental or melodramatic elements in storytelling and visual arts
• Emphasized careful observation and detailed description of people, places, and events

Focus on everyday life

• Depicted ordinary people engaged in common activities (factory workers, farmers)
• Explored mundane aspects of daily existence rather than extraordinary events
• Highlighted social conditions and challenges faced by different classes

Rejection of idealization

• Portrayed human flaws and imperfections rather than presenting idealized figures
• Addressed controversial or taboo subjects previously avoided in art and literature
• Challenged conventional notions of beauty and morality in artistic representation

Realism in literature

• Developed as a literary movement in the mid-19th century, primarily in Europe and America
• Sought to portray life and society with accuracy and objectivity
• Influenced by advances in science, psychology, and social theory

Notable realist authors

• Honoré de Balzac pioneered realism in French literature with his detailed social observations
• Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" exemplified realist style and themes
• George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) explored psychological realism in novels like "Middlemarch"
• Leo Tolstoy depicted Russian society with remarkable depth and complexity

Common themes and subjects

• Class struggles and social inequality in industrialized societies
• Impact of economic forces on individual lives and communities
• Psychological complexity of characters and their motivations
• Critique of social conventions and moral hypocrisy

Literary techniques

• Detailed description of settings and characters to create a sense of verisimilitude
• Use of dialect and colloquial language to capture authentic speech patterns
• Omniscient narration to provide objective perspectives on events and characters
• Incorporation of social and historical context to ground stories in reality

Realism in visual arts

• Emerged as a reaction against idealized academic painting and romantic excess
• Sought to depict the world as it appeared to the naked eye, without embellishment
• Focused on contemporary subjects and social issues rather than historical or mythological themes

Realist painters

• Gustave Courbet pioneered realism in French painting with works like "The Stone Breakers"
• Jean-François Millet focused on peasant life and rural labor in his paintings
• Édouard Manet bridged realism and impressionism with controversial works like "Olympia"
• Ilya Repin represented Russian realism with his powerful social and historical paintings

Subject matter in paintings

• Depicted laborers, peasants, and working-class individuals in their everyday environments
• Explored urban scenes and modern life in industrialized cities
• Portrayed social issues such as poverty, exploitation, and inequality
• Included landscapes that emphasized the natural world without romantic idealization

Techniques and style

• Used careful observation and precise rendering to capture visual reality
• Employed a more muted color palette compared to romantic or academic painting
• Focused on capturing light and shadow to create a sense of depth and atmosphere
• Avoided idealized forms in favor of naturalistic representation of human figures

Social and political aspects

• Realism often served as a form of social commentary and critique
• Addressed pressing issues of the time, including industrialization, urbanization, and class conflict
• Sought to raise awareness about social injustices and promote reform

Critique of society

• Exposed harsh realities of industrial labor and urban poverty
• Challenged traditional power structures and social hierarchies
• Questioned prevailing moral and religious values of the time

Class consciousness

• Highlighted disparities between different social classes
• Depicted the struggles and aspirations of working-class individuals
• Explored the impact of economic systems on personal and social relationships

Documentation of social issues

• Served as a form of visual and literary journalism, recording contemporary life
• Addressed topics such as child labor, prostitution, and alcoholism
• Influenced public opinion and contributed to social reform movements

Realism vs naturalism

• Naturalism emerged as an offshoot of realism in the late 19th century
• Both movements shared a commitment to objective representation of reality
• Naturalism took a more deterministic view of human behavior and social conditions

Similarities and differences

• Realism focused on accurate depiction of observable reality
• Naturalism emphasized the role of heredity and environment in shaping human destiny
• Both rejected romantic idealization, but naturalism was often more pessimistic in outlook

Key naturalist writers

• Émile Zola pioneered naturalism in French literature with works like "Germinal"
• Theodore Dreiser explored naturalistic themes in American novels such as "Sister Carrie"
• Stephen Crane combined realism and naturalism in works like "The Red Badge of Courage"

Philosophical underpinnings

• Influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution and scientific determinism
• Viewed human behavior as shaped by biological and environmental factors
• Sought to apply scientific methods to the study of society and human nature

Impact on later movements

• Realism laid the groundwork for many subsequent artistic and literary movements
• Influenced the development of modernism, social realism, and documentary styles
• Continues to shape contemporary approaches to representation in various media

Influence on modernism

• Realism's focus on contemporary life paved the way for modernist experimentation
• Rejection of idealization influenced modernist critiques of traditional artistic forms
• Psychological realism contributed to modernist explorations of subjective experience

Legacy in contemporary art

• Photorealism and hyperrealism extend realist techniques in painting and sculpture
• Social realism continues to address political and economic issues in visual art
• Neo-realist movements in literature and film draw on realist traditions

Realism in photography

• Photography was seen as the ultimate realist medium, capturing reality directly
• Documentarians like Jacob Riis used photography to expose social conditions
• Photojournalism emerged as a powerful form of visual realism in the 20th century

Criticism and debates

• Realism faced various critiques and challenges from both artists and critics
• Debates arose over the nature of reality and the possibility of truly objective representation
• Questions emerged about the ethical implications of realist depictions of social issues

Limitations of realism

• Critics argued that realism oversimplified complex social and psychological realities
• Some felt that the focus on mundane details neglected higher artistic or spiritual concerns
• Debates arose over whether true objectivity was possible in artistic representation

Ethical considerations

• Raised questions about the exploitation of subjects in realist art and literature
• Concerns emerged about the potential voyeurism in depicting poverty and suffering
• Debates over the responsibility of artists to effect social change through their work

Realism vs other artistic movements

• Contrasted with romanticism's emphasis on emotion and imagination
• Challenged by impressionism's focus on subjective perceptions of light and color
• Influenced but also critiqued by modernist movements seeking new forms of expression

Realism across cultures

• Realism manifested differently in various national and cultural contexts
• Reflected specific social, political, and economic conditions of different regions
• Influenced and was influenced by cross-cultural exchanges and global developments

American realism

• Mark Twain pioneered realism in American literature with works like "Huckleberry Finn"
• Winslow Homer depicted American rural and maritime life in his paintings
• Regional realism explored diverse American landscapes and communities

European realism

• French realism set many standards for the movement (Courbet, Flaubert)
• Russian realism addressed social and political issues unique to Tsarist Russia
• British realism often focused on class dynamics and social mobility

Realism in non-Western contexts

• Japanese artists like Hashiguchi Goyo incorporated realist techniques in ukiyo-e prints
• Latin American realism often addressed issues of colonialism and national identity
• African realism emerged in post-colonial literature and art, exploring cultural tensions

Psychological realism

• Focused on depicting the inner lives and mental states of characters
• Influenced by developments in psychology and theories of human consciousness
• Sought to represent the complexity of human thought and emotion

Interior lives of characters

• Explored characters' motivations, fears, and desires in depth
• Depicted internal conflicts and psychological struggles
• Used techniques like internal monologue to reveal characters' thoughts

Stream of consciousness technique

• Developed by writers like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf
• Attempted to represent the flow of thoughts and sensations in the human mind
• Challenged traditional narrative structures and linear storytelling

Influence on modern psychology

• Realist literature often anticipated or paralleled psychological theories
• Provided case studies and insights into human behavior for early psychologists
• Contributed to the development of psychoanalytic approaches to literature and art