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The Realists
The Realists
POSTED OCTOBER 10, 2019
In the mid-19th century, a movement arose that dominated the art scene after the Romantics and before the Impressionists. Realism is considered to be the first modern art movement, rejecting traditional forms of art, literature, and social organization as outmoded in the wake of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.(1) Rejecting Romanticism, which focused on glorification of the past and of nature, the Realists "instead decided to portray, with uncompromising truth and accuracy, the people and situations of the present."(3) The political environment in Europe was moving towards a more representative form of government. In 1848, a revolt against the monarchy in Sicily soon spread to France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire. Although the "revolutions of 1848" all ended in failure, "no European politician, for the sake of his own political survival, could ignore the masses and public opinion, and often made use of ideology that could appeal to the masses."(2)
In the mid-19th century, a movement arose that dominated the art scene after the Romantics and before the Impressionists. Realism is considered to be the first modern art movement, rejecting traditional forms of art, literature, and social organization as outmoded in the wake of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.(1) Rejecting Romanticism, which focused on glorification of the past and of nature, the Realists "instead decided to portray, with uncompromising truth and accuracy, the people and situations of the present."(3) The political environment in Europe was moving towards a more representative form of government. In 1848, a revolt against the monarchy in Sicily soon spread to France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire. Although the "revolutions of 1848" all ended in failure, "no European politician, for the sake of his own political survival, could ignore the masses and public opinion, and often made use of ideology that could appeal to the masses."(2)
Artists portrayed this growing democratic spirit in their paintings. The Realists attempted to depict individuals of all social classes and did not avoid the unpleasant aspects of life, which were giving rise to much of the unrest. The Art Story puts it this way: "Realism concerned itself with how life was structured socially, economically, politically, and culturally in the mid-19th century. This led to unflinching, sometimes 'ugly' portrayals of life's unpleasant moments and the use of dark, earthy palettes that confronted high art's ultimate ideals of beauty."
Artists portrayed this growing democratic spirit in their paintings. The Realists attempted to depict individuals of all social classes and did not avoid the unpleasant aspects of life, which were giving rise to much of the unrest. The Art Story puts it this way: "Realism concerned itself with how life was structured socially, economically, politically, and culturally in the mid-19th century. This led to unflinching, sometimes 'ugly' portrayals of life's unpleasant moments and the use of dark, earthy palettes that confronted high art's ultimate ideals of beauty."
Realism started in France. One of the earliest Realist paintings is "A Burial at Ornans" by Gustave Courbet (below). Courbet said he painted his hometown's "mayor..., the parish priest, the justice of the peace, the cross bearer, the notary Marlet, the assistant mayor, my friends, my father, the choirboys, the grave digger, two old revolutionaries" to depict the funeral of his great-uncle in his Burial at Ornans (1849-51) - thus painting his reality. When exhibited the painting created such an uproar and launched Realism, that the artist said later, "Burial at Ornans was in reality the burial of Romanticism."(1)
Realism started in France. One of the earliest Realist paintings is "A Burial at Ornans" by Gustave Courbet (below). Courbet said he painted his hometown's "mayor..., the parish priest, the justice of the peace, the cross bearer, the notary Marlet, the assistant mayor, my friends, my father, the choirboys, the grave digger, two old revolutionaries" to depict the funeral of his great-uncle in his Burial at Ornans (1849-51) - thus painting his reality. When exhibited the painting created such an uproar and launched Realism, that the artist said later, "Burial at Ornans was in reality the burial of Romanticism."(1)
Another example of French Realism, and one which also elicited a negative response from the upper and middle classes is Jean-Francois Millet's "The Gleaners" (1857, below). Gleaners were poor peasants who came to fields after the crops had been harvested and picked up the remaining scraps to feed themselves and their families. With the memory of the revolt of 1848 fresh in their mind, these prosperous classes saw the painting as glorifying the lower-class worker. To them, it was a reminder that French society was built upon the labor of the working masses, and landowners linked this working class with the growing movement of Socialism. The Gleaners provides evidence of Millet's role as a contemporary social critic. His brutal depiction of three hunched, female paupers segregated from the laborers and the abundant crop in the distance demonstrates his attention to the plight of the poorest members of the community as the area experienced the growing pains of French modernization (4)
Another example of French Realism, and one which also elicited a negative response from the upper and middle classes is Jean-Francois Millet's "The Gleaners" (1857, below). Gleaners were poor peasants who came to fields after the crops had been harvested and picked up the remaining scraps to feed themselves and their families. With the memory of the revolt of 1848 fresh in their mind, these prosperous classes saw the painting as glorifying the lower-class worker. To them, it was a reminder that French society was built upon the labor of the working masses, and landowners linked this working class with the growing movement of Socialism. The Gleaners provides evidence of Millet's role as a contemporary social critic. His brutal depiction of three hunched, female paupers segregated from the laborers and the abundant crop in the distance demonstrates his attention to the plight of the poorest members of the community as the area experienced the growing pains of French modernization (4)
Realism spread from France to Europe and the United States. The Americans James Whistler and Thomas Eakins, among others, painted in the Realist style. In Germany, Wilhelm Leibl and in Russia, Ilya Repin were prominent Realist painters. Repin, along with other Russian realist artists, protested against academic restrictions and were critical of the social environment in Czarist Russia. His "Barge Haulers" on the Volga (1870-73) (below) celebrated the strength of Russia's lowest-ranking physical laborers.
Realism spread from France to Europe and the United States. The Americans James Whistler and Thomas Eakins, among others, painted in the Realist style. In Germany, Wilhelm Leibl and in Russia, Ilya Repin were prominent Realist painters. Repin, along with other Russian realist artists, protested against academic restrictions and were critical of the social environment in Czarist Russia. His "Barge Haulers" on the Volga (1870-73) (below) celebrated the strength of Russia's lowest-ranking physical laborers.
As the "enfants terribles" of the 19th-century art world, Courbet and his contemporary Manet are "often invoked as the first avant-garde artists, and their mixture of art and critique laid groundwork for every socially engaged artist in their wake."(1)
As the "enfants terribles" of the 19th-century art world, Courbet and his contemporary Manet are "often invoked as the first avant-garde artists, and their mixture of art and critique laid groundwork for every socially engaged artist in their wake."(1)
The Realist style involved the use of dark colors and a flattening of perspective, sometimes enhanced by contour lines around the figures. Courbet deliberately moved away from the "Renaissance conception of a canvas as a 'window onto the world' toward a flatness that revealed the canvas as a two-dimensional support to be creatively covered with pigment. This first step away from painting as a mere representational format" inspired future generations of modern artists.*
The Realist style involved the use of dark colors and a flattening of perspective, sometimes enhanced by contour lines around the figures. Courbet deliberately moved away from the "Renaissance conception of a canvas as a 'window onto the world' toward a flatness that revealed the canvas as a two-dimensional support to be creatively covered with pigment. This first step away from painting as a mere representational format" inspired future generations of modern artists.*
The first of the Modern Art movements, Impressionism, "had its immediate roots in the traditions of Realism. Realist painters such as Courbet, Millet and Corot were capturing scenes from the ‘natural’ world and people going about their everyday lives, particularly in the countryside. The Impressionists also developed an interest in contemporary subject matter, but of an informal and pleasurable kind, especially aspects of the social life of Paris and its surrounds." (5)
The first of the Modern Art movements, Impressionism, "had its immediate roots in the traditions of Realism. Realist painters such as Courbet, Millet and Corot were capturing scenes from the ‘natural’ world and people going about their everyday lives, particularly in the countryside. The Impressionists also developed an interest in contemporary subject matter, but of an informal and pleasurable kind, especially aspects of the social life of Paris and its surrounds." (5)
Below are links to web pages with other examples of Realism. The "10 MOST FAMOUS REALIST ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES" link includes several 20th century painters. The "My Modern Met" link includes an explanation of the influence of the movement.
Below are links to web pages with other examples of Realism. The "10 MOST FAMOUS REALIST ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES" link includes several 20th century painters. The "My Modern Met" link includes an explanation of the influence of the movement.
REFERENCES: (1) The Art Story (2) Indiana University Northwest website (3) Learnodo Retaino Newtonic website (4) Wikipedia (5) Kiama Art Gallery
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