Realism

Para-Impressionism

Realism

 

Introduction:
In fact Realism is a very broad art-movement in all periods emphasizing the direct and truthfull rendering of the visible reality (R3,p24;R74,p302;R170,p394;R13,p598). The Dutch landscapists from the 17th century can be seen as Realists. The English landscapists and the Barbizon-painters are also called Realists. But more specific it was Courbet who presented himself insistently as Realist, calling his exhibition room alongside the Exposition Universelle in 1855 and 1867 the ‘Pavillon du Réalisme’. The term already was introduced by Gustave Planche in 1833, applying it to other sorts of art (R177,p22). So in a more narrow sense, Realism is an art-movement in the second half of the 19th century (R13,p598).

Courbet and other Realist painters also used people from lower social classes as model (R3,p70). They wanted to free art from social conventions (R173,p80). They wanted to show how society influences the lives of people (R173,p80;R172,p65). They wanted to leave the idea that some subjects are appropriate and others unsuitable (R173,p80). They wanted to open the eyes of the public for down-to-earth reality (R172,p65). They wanted to paint unvarnished every day life (R172,p65). Farmers and labourers doing there harsh work in their miserable conditions, were depicted (R172,p65+67). Nudes were depicted as contemporary women, including prostitutes (R172,p67). They have a materialist view on life (R173,p82). Several works are politically engaged (R172,p67). Their work contained a complaint against the social relations (R13,p598). They rejected the ideal and the sentiments (R172,p64+67).

Champfleury was a defender of Realism and in 1857 he wrote the book ‘Le Realisme’ (R177,p22+216;R3,p654). In 1856/57 Duranty published 6 times the Journal ‘Réalisme’ (aR1-6); he defended Realism in writing and in art. In 1863 Castagnary was the first to use the term ‘Naturalism‘. Zola would pick it up in 1865 (R3,p68). The terms Realism and Naturalism are used in an interchanging way (R3,p214;R170,p345). I discern them, seeing Jules Bastien-Lepage (1848-1884), Jules Breton (1827-1906) as important representatives.

Several artists partly painted in a Realist style and were still active between 1874-86, I will render them on the page Para-Impressionists. For example I see Manet mainly as a Realist. Those who painted mainly in a Realist style and/or were born before 1820 and/or were mainly active before 1874 and/or were of influence on the ‘impressionists’, I will mention on the page Pre-Impressionists. Also several partakers of the ‘impressionist’ expositions can better be described as realist than as impressionist, like Degas.
Both Impressionism as Realism render the modern life (opposing historical themes). Impressionists depict more the leassures of modern life (for the upper class), Realists more the hardships of work and life (of the lower class). (R410,p145)

 

Here you find some names of (foreign) Realists.
In the future I will render more info and place them somewhere else.

 

Kollwitz, Käthe:
Kollwitz is seen as a representative of Realism (R13,p599).

 

Leibl, Wilhelm:
Leibl is seen as a representative of Realism (R170,p394;R172,p67;R13,p599).

 

Liebermann, Max:
In his early works Liebermann is seen as a representative of Realism (R13,p599).

 

Menzel, Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von (Alfred) (1815-1905):
Menzel is seen as a representative of Realism (R173,p80;R172,p67;R13,p599). Menzel depicted some Social Realist paintings, but made more paintings from the high society and also landscapes, interiors, portraits and genre painting (iR155).
More info and pictures: iR155;

 

Repin, Ilja Efimoqitsj:
(R172,p66)

 

 

Additional references (=aRx):

  1. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k10509546 (online version of Réalisme 1856/07/10, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  2. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k10511021?rk (online version of Réalisme 1856/11/15, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  3. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k1051104v?rk (online version of Réalisme 1856/12/15, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  4. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k1051106p?rk (online version of Réalisme 1857/01/15, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  5. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k1051108h?rk (online version of Réalisme 1857/02/15, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  6. gallica.bnf.fr//bpt6k1051110k?rk (online version of Réalisme 1857/03/15, edited by Duranty; =iR40)
  8. x

 

 

 

Note: this page is under construction. 
Do not site from this page for the information is incomplete and maybe incorrect.