Realism & Realistic Art
Relative to the fine arts, the term realism has conveyed a number of different meanings. Originally it emerged as a representation of the external world as it is actually seen. In the recent decades of the 20th century, realism has come to describe the movement away from abstraction and toward representational art. Realism, however is also used to describe abstract art which searches for inner truth and stands in opposition to 'mere appearances.' Realist artists present an unemotional, objective view of life as it exists for the common man. Although this has approach has been applied throughout history, it is the lack of emotion in the work which sets the Realist artists apart. The links included herein relate to Realism and Realistic art.
Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York: Masters of Color and Light
View an online exhibition of the watercolor works of realist artists from the height of the period in America.
Giorgi Morandi
View an Italian presentation of over 80 images of the works of the famous artist that includes paintings and engravings.
Revolution and restoration (1740-1860): France
Read a list of French artists whose work is representational of specific eras or styles, compiled by Nicolas Pioch.
Revolution and restoration (1740-1860): Germany
Read a list of German artists whose work is representational of specific styles or eras, compiled by Nicolas Pioch.
Richard R. Grandy: Gallery of Realist Art
Tour a virtual gallery dedicated to the works of realist artists from throughout history in addition to contemporary works.
Sheldon Gallery
Discover images presented in such a manner that they are intended to seem real as opposed to representational works.
The American Society of Classical Realism
Learn about this volunteer organization that is devoted to the promotion of realist traditions in current art.
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Eakins Gallery
Explore the medical and anatomical studies by Thomas Eakins and their subsequent portrayal in his realist art works.
Virtual Museum of Political Art, Austria: Socialist Realism
View this virtual gallery of the works of some of the most significant social artists of the 1930s, including images of their paintings.
Web Museum: Realism
View digital images of popular realist works and read an informative article outlining the development of realism in Western art.