Realist Painters

The Realism art movement in painting originated in France in the middle of the 19th century, following the 1848 Revolution. Painters like Gustave Courbet revolted against the set ideals of the prevalent Romantic Movement and adopted a more independent style of unidealized painting which soon became known as the Realism art movement. Realism, which favored depiction of “real life” found many eager adherents in painters who wished to break free of the exaggerated drama of the Romantic Movement. Jean-François Millet, a realist painter who gained fame for his scenes of peasant farmers, went on to found the Barbizon school of realistic art in rural France. Realism also offered the artists the freedom of depicting social situations in an unidealized manner, thereby bringing to mainstream attention the challenges faced by the underprivileged sections of the society. Honoré-Victorin Daumier was one such artist who through his realistic depictions offered commentary on social and political life in France in the 19th century. He was best known for his unflattering caricatures of political figures and satires on the behavior of his countrymen. Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Édouard Manet, and Jules Breton were some other prominent artists of the movement. Read on for more information about the life and works of famous Realist painters.