Realism Prints Collection

Print Collections > Realism

Realism first appeared as an art movement in mid 19thcentury France and was initially led by the famous French artist Gustave Courbet.

Realist artists set out to accurately capture a detailed and realistic depiction of their subject matter portraying contemporary life, people and situations, with impartial observation and accuracy. The movement focused on un-idealised subjects and events, depicting people of all classes in situations that arise in ordinary life. Realism’s main concern was how things appeared to the eye, rather than idealised representations of the world.

Realism is widely regarded as the beginning of the modern art movement due to its push to incorporate modern life and art together.