Realism
Definition
Realism in art refers to a movement that emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against romanticism. It aims to depict subjects truthfully without idealization or exaggeration.
Analogy
Imagine looking at a photograph taken by your friend during a hiking trip. The photo captures every detail of the landscape—the texture of rocks, shades of green on trees, even tiny insects crawling on leaves—just as they appear in reality. This is similar to realism in art because it strives for accuracy and portrays things exactly as they are.
Related terms
Impressionism: Impressionism was an artistic movement that focused on capturing fleeting moments through loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors.
Naturalism: Naturalism is an artistic approach that emphasizes the objective representation of reality, often depicting subjects from everyday life in a detailed and unembellished manner.
Photorealism: Photorealism is an art movement that emerged in the late 1960s. It involves creating paintings or drawings that closely resemble high-resolution photographs.
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