In the middle of the 19th century, artists in Europe adopted a new style of art:Realism.
Characterized by unprecedented attention to everyday subject matter, thisart movementtransformed the western art world.
Here, we explore the contributions of its pioneers to understand just why it was so significant.
What is Realism?
Realism emerged in France in the 1850s.
Typically, Romantic paintings feature either mythological figures or sublime scenes of nature.
Jean-François Millet, “The Gleaners” (1857) (Photo:Google Arts & CultureviaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
In either case, it glorifies its subjectsa trait that Realist artists directly dismissed.
To Courbet, this approach was detrimental to painting, as it eliminated any sense of individuality.
It is society at its best, its worst, its average, he said of his practice.
Gustave Courbet, “The Stone Breakers” (1849) (Photo: The Yorck Project viaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
In short, it’s my way of seeing society with all its interests and passions.
It’s the whole world coming to me to be painted.
Jean-Francois Millet
Jean-Francois Millet, Man with a Hoe (ca.
Jean-François Millet, “Man with a Hoe” (ca. 1860-1862) (Photo:Google Arts & CultureviaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
As he was based in rural France, he repeatedly returned to farmers as his subject-of-choice.
Peasant subjects suit my nature best, he said, for I must confess .
that the human side is what touches me most in art.
Honoré Daumier, “The Third-Class Carriage” (ca. 1862-1864) (Photo:Google Arts & CultureviaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Honore Daumier
Honore Daumier, The Third-Class Carriage (ca.
Nevertheless, his oeuvre offers an eye-opening glimpse into the nitty-gritty of life in 19th-century France.
Given this interest, many of her paintings are set in farms, fields, and other countryside controls.
Rosa Bonheur, “Ploughing in Nevers” (1849) (Photo:Google Arts & CultureviaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Today, Bonheur is often considered the most prolific female painter of the 19th century.
Édouard Manet “The Old Musician” (1862) (Photo: The Yorck Project viaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
Edward Hopper, “Nighthawks” (1942)(Photo:Art Institute ChicagoviaWikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
