Humanities - Realism
Antonio E. Gonzalez IV
Instructor Marc Unger
HUM2230 Ref: 254773
July 13th , 2007
Research Paper Abstract
For this paper I will be discussing “Realism” as my subject. “Realism, in art, the movement of the mid-19th cent. formed in reaction against the severely academic production of the French school. Realist painters sought to portray what they saw without idealizing it, choosing their subjects from the commonplaces of everyday life. Major realists included Gustave Courbet, J. F. Millet, and Honoré Daumier. In a broader sense the term is applied to an unembellished rendering of natural forms. In recent years realism has come to mean the presentation of forms and materials that are simply themselves, not primarily representations of things that already exist.”(1) I will be attempting to provide the reader with a general understanding of what “Realism” is. As well as providing the reader with enough information about my subject that they feel well informed and knowledgeable about the different aspects of “Realism”. Different aspects such as, what influences did it have, show examples of paintings, as well as how Realism is used in the literary and musical arts.
What is Real?
Can someone depict art in a realist fashion? Yes. “Realism (art and literature), in art and literature, an attempt to describe human behavior and surroundings or to represent figures and objects exactly as they act or appear in life. Attempts at realism have been made periodically throughout history in all the arts; the term is, however, generally restricted to a movement that began in the mid-19th century, in reaction to the highly subjective approach of romanticism. The difference between realism and naturalism is harder to define, however, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. The distinction lies in the fact that realism is concerned directly with what is absorbed by the senses; naturalism, a term more properly applied to literature, attempts to apply
Instructor Marc Unger
HUM2230 Ref: 254773
July 13th , 2007
Research Paper Abstract
For this paper I will be discussing “Realism” as my subject. “Realism, in art, the movement of the mid-19th cent. formed in reaction against the severely academic production of the French school. Realist painters sought to portray what they saw without idealizing it, choosing their subjects from the commonplaces of everyday life. Major realists included Gustave Courbet, J. F. Millet, and Honoré Daumier. In a broader sense the term is applied to an unembellished rendering of natural forms. In recent years realism has come to mean the presentation of forms and materials that are simply themselves, not primarily representations of things that already exist.”(1) I will be attempting to provide the reader with a general understanding of what “Realism” is. As well as providing the reader with enough information about my subject that they feel well informed and knowledgeable about the different aspects of “Realism”. Different aspects such as, what influences did it have, show examples of paintings, as well as how Realism is used in the literary and musical arts.
What is Real?
Can someone depict art in a realist fashion? Yes. “Realism (art and literature), in art and literature, an attempt to describe human behavior and surroundings or to represent figures and objects exactly as they act or appear in life. Attempts at realism have been made periodically throughout history in all the arts; the term is, however, generally restricted to a movement that began in the mid-19th century, in reaction to the highly subjective approach of romanticism. The difference between realism and naturalism is harder to define, however, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. The distinction lies in the fact that realism is concerned directly with what is absorbed by the senses; naturalism, a term more properly applied to literature, attempts to apply
Cited: 1) Realism." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. 12 Jul. 2007.