Realism (arts)

Realism is an approach to art that seeks to represent subject matter truthfully. It avoids artificiality, exaggeration, or supernatural elements. While people often use the term interchangeably with naturalism, the two ideas are not always the same. Naturalism in Western art focuses on depicting objects with minimal distortion. This is closely tied to illusionism, which is the skill of making a flat surface look like real space.

Realism, however, often refers to a specific historical movement. This movement began in France following the Revolution of 1848. It changed how artists chose their subjects and how they viewed society.

To understand how realism works, we must look at its different layers. One layer is the subject matter, which is what the art is actually about. Realist painters often chose the mundane, the ugly, or the sordid. They focused on the commoner and the everyday lives of people. Another layer is the visual style, often called illusionism. This involves the accurate rendering of anatomy, light, and color. Artists use linear perspective to show how objects appear smaller as they move into the distance.

There are several distinct ways these ideas manifest in history. In the 17th century, an Italian debate arose between different styles. The Carracci family practiced a style called classical-idealism. In contrast, the followers of Caravaggio, known as the Caravaggisti, used a naturalist style. They painted religious scenes as if they were set in the back streets of modern Italian cities. Later, in the 19th century, the term "Naturalism" became a breakaway sub-movement. These artists tried to separate themselves from the political goals of the Realists. They claimed a quasi-scientific basis for their work, much like a student of natural history.

The history of seeking truth in art stretches back many centuries. In the 4th century BCE, the sculptor Demetrius of Alopece preferred realism over ideal beauty. During the Roman Republic, politicians preferred truthful portraits of themselves. Even in Christian art, a form of realism emerged to show the humanity of religious figures. In the Late Middle Ages, some German sculptures showed Christ with wounds and blood. This was intended to help viewers meditate on his physical suffering.

During the Renaissance, a major debate began regarding the balance of art. Many theorists argued over whether to draw from nature or from idealized classical models. Leonardo da Vinci championed the study of nature and individual varieties in the human form. On the other hand, artists like Michelangelo often selected only the most beautiful features. This tension between the natural and the ideal lasted for several centuries. By the 15th century, artists like Jan van Eyck used new oil painting techniques. These layers of paint and glaze allowed for extremely precise effects of light.

In the 19th century, the Realist movement gained significant social importance. The artist Gustave Courbet used his work to highlight social issues and leftist politics. He rejected Romanticism, which had dominated art and literature since the late 18th century. The critic Jules-Antoine Castagnary helped define the naturalist school in 1863. He stated that art should be the expression of life at all levels. He believed the goal was to reproduce nature through truth balanced with science. Even the novelist Émile Zola adopted this scientific emphasis in his writing.

Realism connects to many different fields beyond just painting. It has influenced various forms of storytelling and performance. In music, the opera style known as verismo focuses on real-life subjects. In literature, there is a dedicated tradition of literary realism. The movement also moved into the world of film through Italian neorealist cinema. Whether through a painting, a book, or a movie, realism seeks to capture the world as it truly is.