Realism in Art and Literature

Definition and Overview

• Realism is an art and literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in Europe and North America.
• It focuses on depicting everyday life and contemporaneous social issues in a realistic and accurate manner.
• Realism rejects idealism and romanticism, instead emphasizing the harsh realities of life.

Key Features

• Accurate representation: Realist artists and writers aim to represent life as it is, without embellishment or idealization.
• Focus on ordinary people: Realism often centers on the lives and experiences of ordinary people, rather than heroic or aristocratic figures.
• Social commentary: Realist works often critique social ills, such as poverty, inequality, and injustice.
• Attention to detail: Realist artists and writers strive to accurately depict the world around them, including the physical environment and the people who inhabit it.

Realism in Art

• Characteristics: Realist art often features:
  • Detailed, accurate representations of everyday life and environments.
  • Use of muted colors and earth tones.
  • Emphasis on the mundane and the ordinary.
• Notable artists: Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, Honoré Daumier.

Realism in Literature

• Characteristics: Realist literature often features:
  • Detailed, accurate descriptions of settings and characters.
  • Focus on the everyday lives and experiences of ordinary people.
  • Use of vernacular language and dialect.
• Notable authors: Gustave Flaubert, Honoré de Balzac, Émile Zola.

Influence and Legacy

• Realism paved the way for later art and literary movements, such as Naturalism, Impressionism, and Social Realism.
• Realism's focus on social commentary and critique has influenced a wide range of artistic and literary movements.
• Realism continues to influence contemporary art and literature, with many artists and writers drawing on its core principles and themes.

Definition and Overview

• Emerged in the mid-19th century in Europe and North America as an art and literary movement.
• Focuses on depicting everyday life and social issues in a realistic and accurate manner.
• Rejects idealism and romanticism, emphasizing harsh realities.

Key Features

• Aims to represent life accurately, without embellishment or idealization.
• Centers on ordinary people's lives and experiences.
• Critiques social ills, such as poverty, inequality, and injustice.
• Accurately depicts the world, including the physical environment and its inhabitants.

Realism in Art

• Features detailed, accurate representations of everyday life and environments.
• Uses muted colors and earth tones.
• Emphasizes the mundane and ordinary.
• Notable artists: Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, Honoré Daumier.

Realism in Literature

• Features detailed, accurate descriptions of settings and characters.
• Focuses on ordinary people's everyday lives and experiences.
• Uses vernacular language and dialect.
• Notable authors: Gustave Flaubert, Honoré de Balzac, Émile Zola.

Influence and Legacy

• Paved the way for Naturalism, Impressionism, and Social Realism.
• Influenced a wide range of artistic and literary movements with its social commentary and critique.
• Continues to influence contemporary art and literature, drawing on its core principles and themes.