Realism in the visual arts and literature is the depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life, without embellishment or interpretation. The term is also used to describe works of art which, in revealing a truth, may emphasize the ugly or sordid. It represents the opposite of idealism.

Realism also refers to a mid-19th century cultural movement with its roots in France.

French cultural movement

Realism became prominent as a cultural movement in France as a reaction to the idealism of Romanticism in the middle of the 19th century. Often linked to demands for social and political reform and democracy, realism dominated the visual arts and literature of France, England and the United States from around 1840 to 1880. Prominent realists in the French literature of the 19th century include Balzac and Stendhal on the literary side and their counterparts in the visual arts include Gustave Courbet and Jean François Millet.

Schools in literature and theatre

• Naturalism (literature)
• Realism in 19th century French literature
• Kitchen sink drama
• Nineteenth century theatre

Visual Arts

Realists render everyday characters, situations, dilemmas, and objects, all in an "true-to-life" manner. Realists tend to discard theatrical drama, lofty subjects and classical forms of art in favor of commonplace themes.

Cinema

Italian Neorealism was a cinematic movement incorporating elements of realism that developed in post-WWII Italy. Notable Neorealists included Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti, and Roberto Rossellini.

See also

• Realism
• Genre painting
• Fantastic realism
• Heroic realism
• Magic realism
• Naturalism (art)
• New Realism
• Photorealism
• Romantic realism
• Social realism

References

Realism (art movement)

Realisme | Realismus (Kunst) | Ρεαλισμός | Realismo | واقع‌باوری | Réalisme (peinture) | Realizam | ריאליזם | რეალიზმი | Realisme (kunststroming) | Realismo | Realism | Реализм | Реализам | Realismi | Realism | 现实主义