Realism

Realism, an art movement that emerged in France in the mid-19th century, is characterized by its commitment to depicting everyday life with fidelity and accuracy, eschewing the idealization and romanticism prevalent in earlier artistic traditions. This movement sought to portray subjects from all social classes, often focusing on the working class and rural life, thereby challenging the conventions of academic art. Realist artists, such as Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet, employed a naturalistic approach, emphasizing the truthful representation of their subjects without embellishment. The movement's emphasis on observation and the depiction of contemporary life had a profound influence on subsequent art movements, including Impressionism and Modernism, by encouraging artists to explore new themes and techniques that reflected the realities of their time.