Realism, as a philosophical and artistic concept, seeks to represent subjects as they appear in everyday life, without embellishment or interpretation. This movement emerged as a reaction against Romanticism and Neoclassicism, where the emphasis was on idealization and grandiose themes. In the mid-19th century, particularly in literature and visual arts, realism became prominent, aiming to depict the mundane and the ordinary, focusing on middle and lower class life, often highlighting the harsh realities faced by common people. Writers and artists sought to mirror the society and times in which they lived, paying attention to detail and maintaining a sober, objective view of reality.
In literature, realism began in France with figures like Gustave Flaubert and Honoré de Balzac. Flaubert’s novel "Madame Bovary" is often cited as a landmark in realist literature, meticulously detailing the life of a doctor's wife and her adulterous affairs, aiming to expose the hypocrisies of the French bourgeoisie. Similarly, in England, novelists such as Charles Dickens and George Eliot used realism to critique social and economic injustices. Their works often included complex characters, intricate plots, and a strong sense of verisimilitude, creating a convincing reality that reflects societal structures and personal dilemmas.
In the visual arts, realism rejected the idealized classicism that had dominated European art. Artists like Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet portrayed scenes of rural and working-class life, focusing on human labor and everyday hardships. Courbet’s painting "The Stone Breakers" is emblematic of this style, showing two laborers in the act of breaking stones—a scene neither heroic nor beautiful but profoundly real. These artists used a technique known as plein-air painting, going out into the field to paint landscapes and scenes directly from nature, capturing the light and movement of the moment with an unprecedented fidelity.
Realism extends beyond literature and art, influencing various other disciplines like cinema, theater, and even science. In the 20th century, the advent of film brought a new dimension to realism, with directors like the Italian Neorealists using non-professional actors and real locations to reflect the socio-economic realities of post-war Italy. In science, the realist approach involves describing and understanding the world as it is, based on observation and evidence rather than theoretical or ideal models. This approach emphasizes empiricism and pragmatism, prioritizing direct experience and practical outcomes in the pursuit of knowledge. Thus, realism, in its various forms, continues to be a powerful tool for exploring and representing the complexities of human experience.