Understanding the Transition of the Movements #1
1850: Romanticism to Realism
Romanticism and Realism are two influential movements in art and literature that emerged in the late 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting distinct approaches to human experience and the world.
Romanticism is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor in exact truth, but in a way of feeling.
Romanticism arose in the late 1700s, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the sublime in nature. Romantic artists and writers sought to break free from the constraints of Neoclassicism, which prioritized reason and order. The practice of the painting at the time was adding such embellishment is called romanticism, dominant style of the time; it is about emotions, imagination, individualism, some kind of beauty of nature, narrative scenes from history or myth. Romanticism has a tend to create rose tinted views this led to the glorification of the history— nostalgic feeling for the good old days.
Realism: depiction of the world without embellishment which gained momentum in the mid-19th century, emerged as a reaction against the idealism of Romanticism.
Realism represented the separation from 19th century Academy’s art idealized art scenes both in manner and style. Realist artists observed people closely and reflected them in their paintings with a naturalistic style, almost like a photographic image. The movement was also part of the February Revolution that began in 1848 in Paris, France. Following the revolutionary movements of 1848, Europe is the scene of profound political and social upheavals, which cause changes in the living conditions of a large part of the population. With the industrial revolution, a new working class linked to the factories is born: the proletariat.
Father of Realism: Gustave Courbet
Gustave Courbet wasn’t fan of the style he didn’t want to glorify the history. He wanted to paint what was real and this led to the death of the romantic era and start of the realism. Courbet challenged established artistic norms and introduced everyday life scenes in large-scale format (only mythological and classical paintings were allowed to paint in large-scale by the Academy) by defying Academy's strict painting size regulations.
Some of his most prominent works of art:
After Lunch in Ornans, 1848-49
Stone Breakers, 1849
Peasants of Flagey Returning from the Fair, 1850-55
The Painter’s Studio, 1855
Self-Portraits
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The discovery of photography:
Photography, a transformative art form from the early 19th century, captures fleeting moments. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first successful photograph in the 1820s, "View from the Window at Le Gras," using heliography, requiring several hours of exposure. In 1839, Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, reducing exposure times to minutes and elevating photography as an art form. Concurrently, William Henry Fox Talbot developed the calotype process, enabling the first negative-to-positive technique for multiple prints from one negative, expanding photography's potential.
The 19th-century invention of photography changed art, especially realism. Before photography, artists used traditional methods to depict the world, often idealizing or abstracting it. With photography, they could now portray scenes with great accuracy. Realism aimed to show everyday life and regular people without exaggeration, which aligned well with photography. Artists like Gustave Courbet recognized the camera as both a documentation tool and a source of inspiration. This encouraged painters to focus on real, relatable subjects they saw through the lens.
Additionally, photography challenged the traditional role of painters. If a photo could represent reality, artists had to explore new ways to prove their value. This led to a variety of styles and techniques, with painters starting to experiment with abstraction, impressionism, and more creative takes on reality.
Romanticism to Realism in general:
Art in this unique historical period has important roles: it shares knowledge, encourages critical thinking, and helps us understand life's complexities. It offers insights into the daily experiences of people from different backgrounds, highlighting the living conditions of various social groups. Art raises the voices of the less privileged and promotes social and cultural growth, guiding society toward a better and more harmonious future. Intellectuals and philosophers question the fate of workers, as art takes on a role of investigation and denunciation in the birth of Realism.
The transition from Romanticism to Realism illustrates a shift in cultural values—moving from an emphasis on individual emotions and the idealization of nature to a grounded portrayal of contemporary life. This evolution paved the way for modern artistic expressions and continues to influence creators today., and the exploration of the human spirit. Key figures include painters like Caspar David Friedrich and J.M.W. Turner.
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