Realism on Canvas

As an art form Realism originated in France in the 1850s. Later it expanded to other countries. Realist artists attempted to depict the world as it really was giving their paintings a look of life as it actually was before them. Two French artists became leaders in the Realism movement, Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francoise Millet. American Realism reached its peak in the mid-19th century with such artists as Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth.

French Artists

Les Planteurs de pommes de terre Jean-Francois Millet (Pictured above)

French artist Jean-Francois Millet is one of the pioneers of the Barbizon School in rural France. In 1837 the artists went to Paris, France to the Ecole De Beaux-Arts School to study under French painter Paul Devaroche. He mostly focused on portraying life for peasants. In this painting, he depicts two peasants planting potatoes in the field.

The Pyrenees Rosa Bonheur

French artist Rosa Bonheur was a renowned French realist painter and sculptor. In the painting, you see the Pyrenees landscape with a shepherd seated beside two donkeys. Two others are seen walking about.

The Horse Fair Rosa Bonheur

French artist Rosa Bonheur created this oil-on-canvas in 1852. It is among her best-known artworks. The painting depicts dealers selling horses at the horse market held on the Boulevard de l’Hopital in Paris, France. The hospital of Salpetriere can be seen in the background.

The Stonebreakers Gustave Courbet

French artist Gustave Courbet was a leading figure in the 19th-century Realism movement. He was also known for his landscapes, seascapes, and hunting scenes. Among his best-known paintings was The Stonebreakers created in 1849. In the painting, he realistically depicts to workers breaking apart stones. The men are two road laborers in unclean clothing wearing wooden clogs. They represent the oppressed workers who toiled breaking rocks. It is a good representation of peasant life.

Luncheon on the Grass Edouard Manet

French artist Edouard Manet was a renowned French modernist painter of the 19th century. The artists played a significant role in bridging the gap between Realism and Impressionism. This artwork was created in 1853 and is known in French as Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe. This well-known painting depicts two clothed gentlemen sitting on the grass at a picnic with a nude female sitting with them. She is the only figure sitting on a sheet. Another woman in a white robe can be seen coming out of the water behind the trio in the foreground.

Russian Artist

The Boyarynya Morozova Vasily Ivanovich Surikov

Russian artist Vasily Ivanovich Surikove was a renowned Russian Realist historical painter. His paintings were recognized as illustrations of Russian history and culture. This artwork depicts a scene from the history of church schism in the 17th century.

American Artists

Prisoners from the Front Winslow Homer

American artist Winslow Homer was considered to be one of the greatest landscape artists in history. He is known for capturing the essence of American life and paintings depicting the Civil War. This painting depicts a group of Confederate soldiers surrendering to a Union officer. The Union officer was identified as General Francis Channing Barlow. The soldiers are depicted as an elderly man in the center and a young prisoner with his left hand in his pocket showing confident nonchalance. This artwork captures the tensions following the Civil War and efforts to reconstruct the South.

Pennsylvania Landscape Andrew Wythe

American artist Andre Wyeth was a highly acclaimed 20th-century American artist. He was known for his realistic and regionalist style. In the painting, you can see a stark landscape with some houses. A large bare birch tree stands in the foreground.

The Shoppers by William Glackens

American realist artist William Glackens was a founding member of the Ashcan School of American Art. He created this oil-on-canvas in 1907. This artwork captures middle-class New York life during its time period through urban shopping depicted in realism style.