Why is Social Realism important?

Social Realism is important because it was a major art movement of the 20th century that elevated everyday people as subjects and appealed to the larger public beyond elite cultural circles. While art that fits this description dates back to the 18th century with artists like William Hogarth in the UK, it became especially prominent in the 20th century between the two World Wars. Artists such as Diego Rivera, Elizabeth Catlett and José Clemente Orozco depicted the lives of laborers and working class people, drawing attention to social issues and oppressive social systems. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Social Realist art.