Picture of Mona Lisa

Survey of Art 1B

Social Realism

 

Fast Facts

Social Realism developed as a reaction against idealism and the exaggerated ego encouraged by Romanticism. Consequences of the Industrial Revolution became apparent; urban centers grew, slums proliferated on a new scale contrasting with the display of wealth of the upper classes. With a new sense of social consciousness, the Social Realists pledged to “fight the beautiful art”, any style which appealed to the eye or emotions. They focused on the ugly realities of contemporary life and sympathized with working-class people, particularly the poor. They recorded what they saw (“as it existed”) in a dispassionate manner. The public was outraged by Social Realism, in part, because they didn't know how to look at it or what to do with it.

 

 

Picture of "The Gleaners" by Millet

The Gleaners, 1857

Artist: Jean-Francois Millet (1814-1875)
� unc

 

Picture of "The Third Class Carriage" by Daumier

The Third Class Carriage, 1863-1866

Artist: Honore Daumier (1808-1879)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "The Uprising" by Daumier

TheUprising, 1860

Artist: Honore Daumier (1808-1879)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Wounded Man" by Courbet

Wounded Man, Portrait of the Artist, 1854

Artist: Gustave Courbet (1819-1877)
� Artchive

 

Picture of "Woman with Parrot" by Courbet

Woman with a Parrot, 1866

Artist: Gustave Courbet (1819-1877)
� Artchive

 

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Kathleen Grisham
Instructor's e-mail address: [email protected]
Instructor's homepage:

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/grisham