Realism attempts to depict everyday life as it is realistically, focusing more on characters than plot. It emerged in the 19th century France as a response to Romanticism, aiming for honesty, simplicity and portraying the lower/middle classes. American Realism in the 20th century shared these same core values as its European predecessor.

1. Realism
Attempts to capture real life, in the now

Focuses more on Characters then plot

Response to Romanticism

Honest, simple and direct

Subject matter usually lower or middle class


2. History of realism

Realism is said to have begun in France during the 19th century

Term is first used by Friedrich Schiller “realism cannot make a poet”

3. Gustave Courbet

5. Honoré De Balzac

6. American Realism

American Realism begins around the 20 th
century

Shares same core values as European Realism

7. Mark Twain

8. George Bellows

10. Conclusion

Emphasizes what is happening now

Allows the artist means of critiquing society

Usually focuses on the lower to middle class

Focuses on the characters rather than plot

Response to Romanticism