Realism

Realism was a movement that had began in France 1840 and ended in 1880. Realism was a revolt against Romanticism, it was a revolt because of the fact that they had found Romanticism too exaggerated and emotional. Writers and Artists wanted to explore the reality of everyday life. Realism artists and writers had painted and written the world as it is with no imagination or superstition added to it . The artists/writers did not add any of their personal/emotional feelings to the painting/writing, they captured the moment exactly according to the scene. 

A good example of a realist artists work is Jean Francois Millet.

The Gleaners, 1857

This painting is of three peasant women gleaning a field for some pieces of leftover wheat. They are bending their backs which is a very uncomfortable position, in the hopes of finding some scraps of food to eat. This painting shows the harsh reality of poverty and how hard life was for peasants.

Ducksters, 2013, Duckers [Online] Available at <http://www.ducksters.com/history/art/realism.php>
[Accessed 19th April 2013]