Realism

Realism is commonly defined as a concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary. However, the term realism is used, with varying meanings, in several of the liberal arts; particularly painting, literature, and philosophy. It is also used in international relations. In Philosophy realism is the view that there is an external world that exists independant of our perception of it.

Realism in visual arts and literature

Main article: realism (arts)

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In the visual arts and literature, realism is a mid-19th century movement, which started in France. In response to growing positivism after the French Revolution and greater optimism that humans could understand the world through science, philosophy and the arts, the realists sought to render everyday characters, situations, dilemmas, and events in an "accurate" (or realistic) manner. This is in contrast with the earlier romanticism, in which subjects were treated idealistically. Realists tended to discard theatrical drama and classical forms of art to depict commonplace or 'realistic' themes.

Related Topics:
19th century - France - Positivism - French Revolution - Accurate - Romanticism - Idealistically - Classical

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