Styles & Periods

• Artists
• Styles & Periods
• Associations
• Glossary
• Projects
• Purchase Guides

Realism

In the mid-19th century, a reaction against the drama of Romanticism emerged as Realism, a term coined by the French painter Gustave Courbet in 1855. Courbet and the French Barbizon painters, among them Jean-François Millet, began to focus increasingly on depicting subjects that were not conventionally regarded as having artistic value. The 19th century Realists rejected the subjectivity of the Romantics, instead seeking to capture the honest, imperfect, and often unsettling realities of life. In the lives and work of the poor, the candid behavior of everyday people, and even impartial eroticism, the Realists found a wealth of inspiration. In their attempt to create sincere art, the Realists also focused on the effects of light, and took an interest in the scientific principles that govern vision. This interest was applied in many Realist works, and the Classical precision of line and form were often eschewed in favor of methods that convey what the artist was actually seeing. These ambitions would go on to inform color theory, and are inextricably linked with the Impressionists.

Some Artists In This Style

Gustav Courbet
(1819-1877)

Édouard Manet
(1832-1883)

Balthus
(1908-2001)

Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

Up to 40% Off XL Black Drawing Pad by Canson For bold and distinctive drawings.	At Least 34% Off Ruby Satin Series Synthetic Brushes Short Handle by Silver Brush Superb color control	From $2.09 Triangular Colored Pencil Sets by Maped More comfortrable and easy to grip
From $19.99 Abstract Nature by Search Press Expressing the natural world with acrylics, and mixed media.	Up to 62% Off Series 4050 Heritage Brushes by Princeton Richly distinctive brushes with excellent color holding	From $9.17 Studio Acrylic Paints by Rosa Fine Art Materials Conveniently squeeze out the paint!