What do you think about when someone mentions the term "realism"? Artworks and images that
look more "real"? Yes in a way that's correct. But the word "real" also has to be quantified.
Real in what sense? Realistic shapes and forms, realistic colour, realistic lighting, realistic
subject matter, or realistic experiences?
"Realism" generally refers to realistic portrayals of subject matter and content - art works
that closely resemble everyday life. When it comes to describing the physical characteristics
of an artwork, you want to use the word "naturalism" - this refers thing like shapes, colours,
forms, lighting, shadows and such being more realistic and more closely representing the natural world.
Think of realism being more concerned with the narrative, and naturalism being more concerned
with the visual appearance.
Realism is generally regarded as the opposite of "idealism." Idealism illustrates subject
matter in pursuit of higher principles and goals, while realism prefers to depict everyday
situations and be more truthful to social realities. For instance - this classical painting
by Botticelli depicts ideally bodies in a beautiful fantasy landscape. While this painting
by Jean Francois Millet depicts a working class woman raking hay.
Naturalism, in essence, is the opposite of abstract and stylized. For instance, in this
abstract and stylized painting by Henri Matisse, we can pretty much tell that it is a depiction
of an interior scene with furniture, objects, a human figure and a window that looks out
to an exterior landscape. However, these subjects are not depicted naturally. There are no natural
lights and shadows, there's no realistic geometry or perspectives being depicted, the scales
of objects are completely off and a lot of subject matters are being represented by simple
geometric shapes and flat colours. In comparison, this painting by Peter Paul Rubens of Venus
and Adonis is highly naturalistic. Figures are painted with correct and proportional
anatomy and in addition - natural colours and shadows are used.
Although this work by Rubens is considered a work of naturalism, it is not considered
a work of realism. For one, the content of this painting is a story of classical mythology
involving ideal Gods and Goddesses. Two, you're not very likely to come across a scene like
this, just walking through the country side. At least, not in my experiences. I don't imagine
there are too many curvy, naked ladies just hanging around the countryside, with their
babies that have wings growing on its backs. It's just not representing reality in a usual
sense. Anyway, you're more likely to be walking across the countyside seeing a hardworking
woman raking hay - in the 1800s anyway.
Realism as an art movement originated in Europe in around the mid to late 1800s. In a general
sense, it was a response to the idealistic constraints of neoclassicism as well as the
theatrical and dramatic nature of romanticism which were styles that were dominant in European
tastes in the preceding century. In addition, social changes such as French revolution,
as well as the industrial revolution caused many social thinkers, including artists to
focus on realities - often harsh realities that included the lives of working class citizens
and rural peasant farmers.
Can a work be considered realism and naturalism at the same time? Of course. For example - Gustav
Courbet's paintings are very representative of realism - such as this painting showing
working class stone breakers. At the same time, his compositions and figures are also
painted in very naturalistic ways.
Your homework is to find a work of art that represents "realism" but not "naturalism",
as well as a work that represents "naturalism" but it's not "realism."
It doesn't have to be painting. It can be photography, it can drawings, prints, watercolours,
or even can be sculptural. Leave it in the comments below, or tweet at me, or send me
a message. Thanks very much for watching. I'm really looking forward to seeing what
you guys are going to come up with. And as always, feel free to ask me a question in
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