Realism, the art movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, was a reaction against the idealized and romanticized depictions of art that came before it. As the name suggests, realism aimed to depict life as it really was, often focusing on the everyday struggles and realities of working-class people.
At its core, realism is all about accuracy and attention to detail. Realist painters sought to capture their subjects in exacting detail, often using techniques that emphasized the play of light and shadow on the human form.
One notable technique used in realist painting is chiaroscuro, which involves the careful use of light and shadow to create depth and three-dimensionality in a painting. This technique was widely used by painters such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.
Another important element of realist painting is the use of color. Many realist painters sought to capture the natural colors of their subjects, whether that be the bright hues of flowers or the muted tones of a cityscape.
Some famous realist painters include Gustave Courbet, who painted a number of works depicting peasants and rural life, and Jean-Francois Millet, who is best known for his painting "The Gleaners," which depicts three women collecting the remaining bits of wheat from a field after the harvest. Other notable realist painters include Edward Hopper, whose paintings often depicted the loneliness and isolation of modern life, and Winslow Homer, who is best known for his depictions of American life, including scenes of fishing and hunting.
However, the advent of the camera in the mid-19th century made it easier to capture factual images of the world with more accuracy and speed than the traditional techniques of oils and brushes. Consequently, the popularity of realism in painting declined, and many artists started moving towards abstraction. Pablo Picasso's artistic career was nearly ended by the invention of photography. The camera captured life better than any artist could, rendering realistic and accurate depictions of the world that were unparalleled by any painting or drawing. Suddenly, Picasso's skills as a painter weren't enough to warrant acclaim; photography had taken over as the medium of choice for capturing life. Whether by chance or luck, as the camera began replacing the brush and canvas, Picasso’s best friend committed suicide over a love affair pushing Picasso even deeper into depression, and so began the experimentations that drove his Blue period that created the bases for Picasso’s future cubism style which helped inspire artists at that time period towards abstract art. If it wasn’t for the advent of photography, I doubt anyone would have heard of Pablo Picasso. It was his innovational unique signature style that save him from obscurity.
Fast forward to the late 1990s, after 70 something years of post modernist art movements full of abstraction and beyond absolute filth and the loss of technical ability we had achieved in Western Art, incredibly, realism is making a comeback. In the fast-paced world of modern visual entertainment, the age-old painting style of realism may seem outdated. With the advent of high definition movies and superior-quality photography, one may ask - what is the relevance of painting realism in the contemporary world? However, contrary to what some may believe, realism is not only relevant but also resurging in the art world today. Renowned artists and art historians recognize realism as a powerful and timeless form of expression when created and interpreted by an artist in oils, there's just nothing like it. Just go visit a museum and check out the works of 19th century masters, such as Jean-Leon Gerome, John William Waterhouse, and Gustave Courbet. Their creations were incredibly detailed and lifelike, l promise you will be mesmerized in awe and ponder how human hands could have created such masterpieces.
Art historian Linda Nochlin eloquently states, "By insisting on a certain level of perceptual accuracy, realism fundamentally changed the role of the artist." In a sense, realism does not aim to compete with the superior quality of technological mediums, but to provide an alternate perspective on reality. A subjective interpretation of the artist's reality is infused into the painting, which provides a very personal and intimate experience for the viewer.
Though photography provide a more accurate and objective picture, paintings offer a different experience altogether. The techniques of a painter, the brushstrokes, the color palates, and the way in which they capture the subject matter gives the painting a certain depth and emotion that is unique to the medium. I don’t want you to think that I don’t respect fine art photography, I think photography is likewise a beautiful form of art, but there’s just something about creating something with your own hands, that pushes the age old medium further.
British artist David Hockney once said, "Of all the ways of reproducing the world, painting is the only one that gives you the feeling of the world's soul.” I couldn't agree more, realism in painting allows us to reconnect with the world around us in a unique and meaningful way. When we look at a realistic painting, we are reminded of the beauty and complexity of the world that surrounds us, and are challenged to see it in a new light. As renowned artist Chuck Close once said, “Realism is an emotional thing, like music, and we all respond to it differently.” A painting concept is meditated upon as the artist paints it in, the photograph is a capture of a special moment that can be manipulated in an artistic way in post production but never really awe’s the way a life size painting awe’s. Photographs could also be mass produced further reducing their value, so photographers usually offer limited prints to try to increase the value of their art. With a painting, there is only the one true original, even master copies whom are slightly different could be sold as originals in their own right. Photography I feel is intimate when printed small, perfect representation of the world in the most accurate documentary way. Painting, paint big, full of emotion that just takes your breath away, leaving the viewer questioning how a human hand and a sharp eye could create such beauty. When I see a photograph that awe's me, I ask, how did the photographer "take that shot?" or I say "wow, great shot!" When I see a painting that awe's me I ask, "How did the artist do that?" See the difference? (Forgive the pun).
Contemporary artists today are rejecting abstract art and returning to realism, incorporating traditional techniques and pursuing the knowledge that was almost lost to paint representational art that captures the human experience and the real world. The renewed interest in realism is partly a response to the digital age, where everything is computer-generated and there is a need to reconnect with tangible things. Even though abstract art has its place, people are looking for art that speaks to them on a more personal level, something that they can relate to. In this renewed interest, artists are turning to classical methods like figure drawing, still life, and landscape painting. They are exploring traditional subjects and executing them with a contemporary twist. These artists are not only working in oil and acrylic, but they are also creating art in other media such as graphite, charcoal, and pastel.
Contemporary artists are also embodying realism in a wide range of styles. Some artists, influenced by hyperrealism, create art that is so lifelike that it is often mistaken for a photograph. Other artists use realism as a starting point to then create distorted images or imaginative worlds akin to surrealism. I’m excited by the return of realism in contemporary art which represents a shift from the modernist and postmodernist movements that long dominated the art scene. As more artists like myself turn to realism, we can expect to see more poignant narratives and thoughtful reflections that capture the realities of the world we live in.
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