Realism and Impressionism are two important art movements from the 19th century. They show different views of life in the city.
Realism (mid-1800s)
- Focus: Realism shows everyday life, especially the hardships faced by working people.
- Characteristics: The art is detailed and straightforward. It doesn't try to make things look better than they are.
- Notable Artists: Two well-known artists are Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet.
- Statistics: About 35% of Realist paintings talk about social issues like poverty and work struggles.
Impressionism (1860s-1880s)
- Focus: Impressionism captures quick moments and how light looks in busy city scenes.
- Characteristics: Artists used loose brush strokes and bright colors. They focused more on feelings and the overall atmosphere than on tiny details.
- Notable Artists: Famous Impressionist artists include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas.
- Statistics: About 60% of Impressionist artworks show scenes from the city, reflecting how cities were changing quickly during that time.
Comparison
- Representation of Urban Life:
- Realism: This style highlights the problems and challenges that city dwellers face.
- Impressionism: This style is more about the feelings of city life, like how light and movement create a special mood.
In short, Realism aims to show the tough realities of city life, while Impressionism tries to capture the beautiful and fleeting moments of modern living with bright colors and lively scenes.