“True realism consists in revealing the surprising things which habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing.” - Jean Cocteau
Through the ages, humanity has been privileged to appreciate many different eras in art, food, culture, music, fashion and just about everything else. It is our history that influences and shapes how we see today.
Artists have a way of reflecting the societies and times in which they live. These can be in the form of human struggles of the day as well as the beauty that surrounds them.
If we didn’t have art from different eras like the realism period, we would not have museums filled with historic paintings, exhibitions and sculptors. Part of our history would be lost.
In this article, you will find out more about one of the main art movements, the work of realist painters and realism artists of other genres like neoclassical realism too.
General Information About the Realism Period
Whether you are on your way to an art degree or simply want to know more about the differences between one art era and the next, there are many ways to find out more or receive academic support for your history of art subjects.
In this article, we will dive into explanations of the Realism art era which includes sculptures, paintings and drawings that are as realistic as they can possibly be. Realism artists tend to focus on simple everyday moments that resemble photography rather than the larger than life interpretations of other eras.
Realism artists strive to portray the subject in the most natural way that they can without the supernatural elements of artificial detail.
Beginning in France during the late 1840s and at the time of the 1848 Revolution, Realist painters put an end to the Romanticism period which had dominated Europe for the first half of the 19th century. Realism artists preferred to move away from the vibrant and exotic style of Romanticism to rather portray contemporary people accurately and truthfully.
As realism art grew in popularity, photography began to grow as an emerging medium.
So what are some of the things that make the realism period stand out from Neoclassical and other art movements? Keep reading.
Unique Elements of Realism Art Pieces
Understanding the realists and the art they created, it is important to analyse both the elements and characteristics of that period. To follow are a few of the details used by art experts and historians to differentiate the Realism period from other eras.
- Everyday subjects like working-class people going about their daily activities were commonly used by the realists.
- Realist painters kept their art as raw and natural as possible.
- Detail is extremely important in Realism art because realist painters work as closely to the kind of detail in a photograph as possible.
- Colour palettes of soft browns, black, warm reds and ivory hues are often used by the realists to create natural and life-like effects.
Today, there are certain aspects of Realism art that are still used by artists of other mediums.
Famous Artists from the Realism Period
To understand the complexities of a certain art period, you will need to know who the most celebrated artists were of that time. For instance, by examining the work of the realists you will be able to not only appreciate its beauty but also analyse the techniques that made realism art famous.
Why not look up the following famous artists from the Realism period and find out what inspired them?
- Gustave Courbet: on top of most lists that discuss acclaimed realist painters, you will find Gustave Courbet, born in 1819. Courbet, who was determined to end the Romanticism era, led the Realism art movement during the 19th century. He was known to only paint what he saw and not what he could imagine. It’s worth noting that both Renoir and Monet were inspired by Courbet’s work.
- Edward Hopper: Hopper, who was famous for realism art that depicted the solitude of modern life, was highly acclaimed during the 20th century. He was well known for leaving his viewers hanging so to speak so that they would need to finish the narrative of his paintings for themselves. Hopper’s Nighthawks is one of the most recognisable pieces of the Realism period.
- Rosa Bonheur: Bonheur first displayed her work when she was only 19. She received much acclaim for her pictures of animals in the United States and England. Because she was dedicated to studying the anatomy of animals, Bonheur was able to quickly and realistically paint animals and was an inspiration to women all over the world.
In addition to studying the artists from this period, you should try to look at the most famous pieces of realism art too.
Noteworthy Art Pieces from the Realism Period
Naturally, every single art movement has a number of special pieces that made it famous and are highly acclaimed as masterpieces today. Whether it is Abstract Expressionism or the Realism period, by studying the methods and techniques of the artists you will gain a deeper understanding of the era in question.
Here are a few extraordinary pieces from the Realism period.
- Whistler's Mother: exquisitely painted by James McNeill Whistler, the 1871 piece, Whistler’s Mother has received much acclaim for decades. The painting is the perfect example of the Realism period since it portrays McNeill Whistler's mother.
- Nighthawks: already mentioned above, Nighthawks is Edward Hopper’s magnum opus. Its straightforward approach makes it one of the most highly recognisable pieces of the 20th century and the Realism period.
- The Stone Breakers: Gustave Courbet’s Stone Breakers, completed in 1849 or 1850 depicts two French peasants who are building a road. The realism is so brilliant that it resembles a photograph.
If you want to learn more about the Realism period, by examining these works of art, you will begin to have a good idea of what it means, as well as how it fits into art history.
Learning about Realism Art with a Private Tutor
Whether you are studying the Romantic period, Neoclassicism or Realism out of sheer curiosity, for an art degree or Grade 12 history of art exams, there are private art solutions available if you know where to look.
One of the first things you could do is check out the location tool on Superprof which will tell you if there is a tutor who is geographically close to you or not. Alternatively, provided you have an internet connection and a working webcam, you could take lessons with any number of art tutors from all over South Africa and even from many other places in the world.
One of the many advantages of a private tutor is their ability to help you with the kind of one-on-one support that is not always easy to obtain in a busy class of students. Through private, face-to-face or online lessons, a tutor can help you to understand the important nuances of Realism as well as the other important art movements in art history. There is no doubt that with this kind of guidance, you will not only begin to enjoy your studies more, but also gain an edge over your academic results.
On the Superprof platform, there are over 16 million tutors worldwide to assist students with academic support, life coaching, sport and music subjects in over 1000 academic disciplines. This makes it one of the most worthwhile and powerful e-learning website options in the world.
Of course, there is also the option to attempt a general internet search which could lead you to find an art history tutor, however, not only is this time-consuming, you will not have the reassurance and convenience that is offered by a website like Superprof.
On Superprof, you will have plenty of tutors to compare in one place as well as the peace of mind to know that their credentials have been verified for you.
You can also look out for reviews by past students and benefit from a free first lesson. This is extremely advantageous and could help you from making the mistake of committing to lessons to a tutor who is not a good personality fit or doesn’t have the right background and experience to meet your personal goals.
Finally, don’t be misled into thinking that private tuition is only for the rich and famous. The truth is that in South Africa you could receive lessons for about R183 per lesson. So if you are looking for extra insight into your Realism art studies or anything else for that matter, support is only a few clicks away. Who wouldn’t be willing to invest in trying to achieve the best academic results possible from the convenience of their own home?
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