Realism In art, what can that possibly mean?

Realism Realism is a style of art that depicts what the eye can see. It tries to capture every day people doing every day ordinary things. Artist have tried to do this for a long time. The Old Violin by William Harnett

Realism Examples of Realism can be found throughout art history. Greek sculptures carved lifelike replicas of their models, like this old peasant woman.

Realism Painters in the 17th century like Caravaggio brought a new realism to their work, instead of painting idealized figures. The Calling of Saint Matthew by Michelangelo Caravaggio

Realism Painters in the 17th century like Caravaggio brought a new realism to their work, instead of painting idealized figures. Other examples of Realism artists include the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez . . . The Maids of Honor by Diego Velázquez

Realism . . . and Dutch painters like Rembrandt. The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn

Realism However, Gustave Courbet is credited with leading the Realism Movement in 19th century France, as well as coining the name. Instead of showing an idealized version of life, as was expected, he depicted life as it really was. Gustave Courbet

Realism However, Gustave Courbet is credited with leading the Realism Movement in 19th century France, as well as coining the name. Instead of showing life better than it was, as was expected, he depicted life as it really was. Art critics and the art viewing public did not like this change, but Courbet cared about social issues like poverty. The Sleeping Spinner by Gustave Courbet

Realism Some other Realists include French Artist Jean-François Millet, The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet

Realism Some other Realists include French Artist Jean-François Millet, The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet

Realism . . . and American artist Edward Hopper. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

Realism . . . and American artist Edward Hopper. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper