Glossary Term: Realism
In the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution caused many social and economic problems. Jobs were hard to find and working conditions were poor for those lucky enough to find employment. There was growing concern on the part of artists and writers about the plight of ordinary persons at home and at work. This concern was reflected in the style of art that became popular in the mid-nineteenth century. This style was called Realism.

At first, Realism shocked the critics and public. Artists didn't follow the rules taught to them in art school. The subjects of their work were humble citizens doing everyday work, rather than mythical heroes, Biblical or classical subjects, and portraits of the rich. These artists used new ways of handling brushes and paint so that their pictures had more texture and interest. The invention of the camera gave them the possibility of working from a photograph, an entirely new concept. Realists also were very interested in painting landscapes from a realistic point of view, and were especially interested in how the land looked during different weather and different times of the day. In fact, Realists' desire to paint in the open air and in their interest in how light affected one's perception of a scene paved the way for the work of the Impressionists.

Some of the better known Realist artists are painters Gustave Courbet and Francois Millet.

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