From Romanticism to Realism Courbet, Fenton, Brady, Chopin, and Riis

Learning Objectives  Outline the major principles of realism and the forces that contributed to the emergence of the movement (1,2).  Describe and evaluate the central message and evidence presented in Chopin, Riis, Fenton, and Brady's work (2).  In what way(s) do the pieces exemplify the characteristics of this cultural movement? Support your claims with specific evidence from each cultural artifact (3).  In what ways do we see the influence of the principles of realism in our contemporary society? In which contemporary cultural artifact can you recognize the influence of the movement? (5) Be specific. Explain the connections you identify.* 

Origins/Influences  The Revolts of 1848  The modernization of warfare (American Civil War and Crimean War)  Urbanization and Industrialization  Invention of Photography  Rejection of search for “higher truth” (think sublime think spirituality of Romanticism)  Adoption of search for truth in ordinary or everyday experience.

Characteristics  Depict life as it is not as idealized -Rejection of Romanticism and Idealism  Goal is to capture subject in objective manner  Often focuses on:  Commentary on human cost of war, urbanization, and industrialization  Social problems: abolition and race, women’s rights, working class

Significance  We can return to this later.

Courbet- origins  “To create living art- this is my goal” Realist Manifesto Gustave Courbet  Burial at Ornans,, 1851, oil on canvas, 315 x 660cm, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. Giraudon/Art Resource, NY. Huge 22ft

Marx and Engel  Karl Marx  Friedrich Engels  Focuses on class inequity and effects of industrialization

Photography  Roger Fenton documents the Crimean War.  “The Valley of the Shadow of Death” British, Ukraine, Salt print /8 x 13 3/4 in. 84.XM  ettyguide/artObjectDetails?a rtobj= ettyguide/artObjectDetails?a rtobj=67114

Photography  Matthew Brady documents the American Civil War. Sets stage for photojournalists.  “Confederate Dead at Fredericksburg” 1862 negative  n/lessons/brady- photos/#documents Series : Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes, compiled , documenting the period n/lessons/brady- photos/#documentsSeries : Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes, compiled , documenting the period  Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer,

Jacob Riis  How the Other Half Lives (1890)  photo journalist  immigrant  social reformer

Jacob Riis  How the Other Half Lives (1890)  photo journalist  immigrant  social reformer

Chopin  “The Story of an Hour”  Published in Vogue  April 19, 1894

Relevance  Does the story resonate on any level?  Does it remind you of anything?  How does it make you feel?  Can we relate to the “joy that kills”?

Learning Objectives  Outline the major principles of realism and the forces that contributed to the emergence of the movement (1,2).  Describe and evaluate the central message and evidence presented in Chopin, Riis, Fenton, and Brady's work (2).  In what way(s) do the pieces exemplify the characteristics of this cultural movement? Support your claims with specific evidence from each cultural artifact (3).  In what ways do we see the influence of the principles of realism in our contemporary society? In which contemporary cultural artifact can you recognize the influence of the movement? (5) Be specific. Explain the connections you identify.* 

Helpful websites 