Realism and Impressionism: A Deep Dive into 19th-Century Art
Realism
In the mid-19th century, Romanticism, with its idealization of history, society, and nature, gave way to Realism. The 1848 French Revolution’s failures led to disillusionment, shifting artistic focus from political to social issues. Industrialization caused the decline of craftsmanship and a surge in the urban working class, profoundly changing socioeconomic conditions and ideologies. Artists became acutely aware of social problems like child and female labor, long working hours, and poor housing, feeling compelled to depict these realities.
Simultaneously, Auguste Comte developed Positivism, emphasizing observation and experience as the sole sources of knowledge. Scientific discoveries fueled optimism for social progress. Instead of idealized dreams, art began to reflect reality. People were portrayed in their everyday lives, with the theme of labor becoming a source of inspiration.
Courbet
Courbet chose everyday subjects and characters. His technique was rigorous, using brushes and palette knives. His greatest innovation was depicting ordinary subjects on large canvases, traditionally reserved for “high subjects” like religious, historical, or mythological scenes and portraits of the upper class. He championed the working class and believed art should reflect reality. In 1867, he exhibited at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, influencing early Impressionists.
Impressionism
While the term “Impressionism” appears in music and literature, its most famous application is in painting. This movement emerged in the latter half of the 19th century, primarily in France. It aimed to capture light (the visual “impression”) and the fleeting moment, regardless of the underlying subject’s identity. Unlike predecessors who painted forms with clear identities, Impressionists painted the momentary effect of light.
Ironically christened “Impressionism” by skeptical critics after Monet’s Impression: Sunrise, this movement, diametrically opposed to metaphysical painting, proved crucial for later art, particularly Post-Impressionism and the avant-garde.
Characteristics of Impressionism
- Everyday subjects, often scenes of Paris and its surroundings.
- Landscapes painted outdoors (en plein air).
- Minimally mixed colors, resulting in vibrant paintings.
- Short brushstrokes.
- Capture of the essence of the subject.
- Shadows painted with complementary colors.
- Wet-on-wet painting for soft edges and better color blending.
- Opaque backgrounds.
- Emphasis on natural light and its reflection on objects.
- Ground shadows reflecting sky color for a fresh, natural effect.
Manet
Manet, a “painter of modern life,” embodied Baudelaire’s ideal artist. While his work sparked some of art history’s most famous scandals, he wasn’t intentionally radical like Courbet. The world simply wasn’t prepared for his truthful art, depicting life as it was, without embellishment or metaphor.
In 1863, his Luncheon on the Grass (Déjeuner sur l’herbe), while drawing on Renaissance precedents, was met with hostility from conservative critics but embraced by young artists who would later become Impressionists. Similarly, his Olympia depicted a contemporary nude (a prostitute) rather than a goddess or muse, emphasizing realism and modernity.
Renoir
Renoir, considered the most sensual Impressionist, began painting in a porcelain factory. His early work displayed a Rococo-influenced sweetness and sentimentality. At Gleyre’s studio, he met Impressionists like Sisley and Monet. Early influences included the Barbizon School, particularly Courbet. Renoir is known for his depictions of flowers, children, and women. His female nudes, with their full forms and loose brushstrokes, recall Rubens and Titian. His vibrant palette makes him a unique Impressionist.