Realism

Realism is a style of art that seeks to depict simply as they are, without interpretation or embellishment. Do not confuse this with "realistic style" of drawing or painting, which is a term students use when they want to say that artwork looks "realistic," meaning that it looks good, three-dimensional, or accurate. Many movements in art have realistic, well rendered subjects (see Neoclassical, Romanticism, even Surrealism) but show subjective, historical, mythical, or even fantasy scenes. Realism, as a movement in Art History, refers to a style of painting that does not exaggerate, interpret, dramatize, etc.

Realism was a reaction against Romanticism, and artists were sick of idealized, pretty art. They thought that paintings should simply reflect reality, and they rejected drama, classical subjects, etc., and instead chose everyday themes and scenes, even ugly ones.

Take a look at the paintings below to get a feel for Realism and learn more about the most well known artists from this era.

Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother, 1871 James McNeill Wistler, American || Jean-Francois Millet's The Gleaners shows three peasant workers gleaning (searching for stray grains) in a wheat frield after harvest. This painting is famous for depicting the lowest class of society as a paintable subject- something that was not done before. This painting was not well liked when it was first unveiled, espeically by the upper class who thought it was ugly and pointless, but is now one of the most famous paintings of the era. The Gleaners, 1857 Jean-Francois Millet ||  || Street in Venice, 1882 John Singer Sargant, American || //The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit//, by John Singer Sargent, is another unique portrait from this era. It seems to capture a moment inthe childhoods of these girls, and The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, 1882 John Singer Sargent || The Biglin Brothers Racing 1872 Thomas Eakins, American || This work by Thomas Eakins is a bit controversial for the time period, due to the subject matter, but shows the painter's amazing skill, atentikon to detail, and commiment to Realism. Clinic of Dr. Agnew,. 1889 Thomas Eakins, American ||
 * James McNeill Whistler is most famous for this work, better known as "Whistler's Mother." Notice that the subject is simply sitting, and not even looking at us. Viewers were used to seeing portraits in which the subject is looking at the viewer, often in best clothing and with several belongings. Realist artists, however, would never paint that way, becasue they aimed to depict simplyhow it is.
 * John Singer Sargent's Street in Venice does not glorify or dramatize, but simply shows a glimpse of this street as it looked in this moment.
 * Thomas Eakins is truly one of the most important artist in American Art History, both for his skill and influence. Here you can see his skill and attention to detail.
 * Thomas Eakins is truly one of the most important artist in American Art History, both for his skill and influence. Here you can see his skill and attention to detail.

Realism General Info, Info at [|ArtLLex] , Info at ArtHistoryGuide,

Jean-Baptiste-Cammile Corot

Gustave Courbet info at the Webmuseum, Artchive, at CGFA

Thomas Eakins at the Met, at the NGA, at CGFA

Jean Francois Millet info at the Webmuseum, at CGFA

John Singer Sargent At the Met, at the NGA, Official Site, info at the WebMuseum, painting details, Bio,

James McNiell Whistler Bio, info at the[|WebMuseum], Artchive info, Interesting Facts and Quotes, at CGFA

Winslow Homer at the Met, at CGFA