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What is the definition of realism in art?
1 Answer

In art, the definition of realism is work that attempts to portray its subject matter without artifice. Similar to naturalism, authentic realist paintings and prints see an integration of true-to-life colors, meticulous detail and linear perspectives for accurate portrayals of the world. Realism as an artistic movement usually refers to 19th-century French artists such as Honoré Daumier, who explored social and political issues in biting prints, and Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet, who painted people with all their imperfections, navigating everyday urban life. This was a response to the dominant academic art tradition that favored grand paintings of myth and history. On 1stDibs, shop a range of realist art.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
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Shop for Realist Art on 1stDibs
Mountain Landscape (Pyrenees) 1928
Located in Stockholm, SE
Fritz Lindström (1874–1962)
Mountain Landscape (Pyrenees), 1928
oil on panel
unframed 15.5 × 24 cm (6.1 × 9.4 in)
framed: 26 × 34 cm (10.2 × 13.4 in)
signed on the reverse
Frame by...
Category
1920s Realist Landscape Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Cyprus - Landscape Painting of Sun Drenched Eastern Mediterranean Country Scene
By David Mitchell
Located in Preston, GB
Cyprus - Landscape Painting of Sun Drenched Eastern Mediterranean Country Scene by 20th Century Artist, David Mitchell (1936-2020)
Art measures 28 x 24 inches
Frame measures 34 x 3...
Category
Late 20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings
Materials
Board, Canvas, Acrylic
'Freedom', By Bojan Grof, Graphite, Charcoal and Oil Pencil Drawing on Paper
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 27" x 19" monochromatic graphite and charcoal drawing by Serbian artist, Bojan, is rendered in a hyper-realistic manner. A dog is the main subject in the lower right corner ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Realist Animal Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Graphite
Daffodils in a milk jug
Located in Zofingen, AG
These daffodils picked in my garden set in a milk jug. The various shades of yellow-white color and the choice of details made it possible to convey the beauty of flowers. The blue p...
Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Bumbling Bees
Located in Denver, CO
"Bumbling Bees" by Rita Spalding is a charming original oil created in 2010 depicting two bees with a poem in silver script in the background.
Rita Spalding was born in Beech Grove...
Category
2010s Realist Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil
$375 Sale Price
37% Off
Henry Moore - Late 19th Century British Marine Watercolour
By Henry Moore 1831-1895
Located in London, GB
HENRY MOORE, RA, RWS
(1831-1895)
Evening, East Coast
Signed and dated 1892; signed and inscribed with title and the artist’s address on a label attached to the backboard
Watercolou...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Watercolor