Realism is an artistic and philosophical movement characterized by a focus on representing subjects truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative fiction and supernatural elements. It emphasizes a detailed, unembellished depiction of everyday life and nature, striving for accuracy and authenticity. Realism can be explored in various domains:
- Art:
- Visual Arts: In visual arts, realism involves the meticulous representation of visual appearances. Artists aim to depict subjects as they are seen in everyday life, often highlighting ordinary people, mundane activities, and common environments. This movement emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the exaggerated emotions and idealized subjects of Romanticism.
- Literature: Realist literature focuses on character development, plausible events, and social issues, often critiquing society and exploring the lives of ordinary people. Authors like Gustave Flaubert, Leo Tolstoy, and Charles Dickens are notable figures in this movement.
- Philosophy:
- Metaphysical Realism: This branch asserts that reality exists independently of our perceptions, thoughts, and language. It posits that the world is structured in a particular way, regardless of human beliefs or conceptual schemes.
- Epistemological Realism: This perspective holds that we can have knowledge of the world as it truly is. It contrasts with skepticism and idealism, suggesting that our senses and scientific instruments can provide us with accurate information about the external world.
- Theater:
- Realism in theater aims to create a believable narrative and environment on stage. Playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov are well-known for their realistic portrayals of characters and situations, often addressing social issues and the human condition.
- Film and Television:
- In film and television, realism strives for authenticity in both narrative and visual style. This approach often involves naturalistic acting, realistic dialogue, and plausible scenarios. The aim is to immerse the audience in a believable world that reflects real-life experiences.
Overall, realism seeks to represent subjects in a true-to-life manner, emphasizing the ordinary, the everyday, and the factual, and often addressing social and political issues with a critical eye.