Realism Paintings and Artists – Highlights of the Realist Movement

Beginning in France during the mid-1800s, Realism outwardly rejected the previous art movement of Romanticism as it was said to no longer accurately capture the lives of society. After the French revolution, artists began searching for an art style that was able to faithfully represent the new contemporary subject matters and situations truthfully, with the techniques and elements of Realism offering just that. Many artists went on to adopt the Realism movement, which led to plenty of artworks being created in this style.

What Did the Realism Movement Stand For?

Existing as a primarily French art movement, Realism emerged in the 1850s following the 1848 Revolution that occurred. Sometimes referred to as “naturalism”, this artistic style focused on representing subject matter as precisely as possible while avoiding all hints of artificiality, fantasy, and unearthly elements that were previously popular in art.

In essence, Realism has been described as the complete avoidance of stylization and became increasingly popular in the many art periods that followed.

The Industrial Revolution went on to trigger major social changes in its wake, as it firmly established the “right to work” in France. This rebellion introduced the idea of ordinary and working-class individuals, contemporary settings, and everyday scenes as subjects that were worthy of being portrayed in art. This led to a greater focus on the realistic aspects that were evident in these areas, as subject matter that fell outside of the traditional high art was suddenly considered to be valuable.

The Sleeping Spinner (1853) by Gustave Courbet; Gustave Courbet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As society adjusted to these changes, artists felt that a different art form was needed to portray this new phase of life instead of just enhancing scenes that went on to distort reality. Characterized by unprecedented attention to common subject matter, Realism went on to completely transform the ideals of the Western art world.

Realism rebelled against outlandish content and overstated emotions, choosing rather to emphasize the existence of common laborers and regular people who were engaged in tangible activities relating to the real world.

In addition to focusing on more naturalistic aspects, artists who practiced in the Realist style fully abandoned all of the standards associated with the Romantic movement. Prior to the development of Realism, Romanticism had dominated French literature and art from the late 18^th century until approximately 1850. While Romantic works were defined by a heightened sense of emotion, allegorical figures, and grand scenes of nature, Realism artists sought to portray their subjects and landscapes exactly as they were perceived.

The Exhumation of the Mastodon (1806) by C. W. Peale; Charles Willson Peale, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As Realism focused on the individuals and areas that were previously ignored in other art styles and genres, Realism went so far as to portray even the most unpleasant and sordid aspects of life. Thus, Realist paintings were a true reflection of the changes that had occurred in society, as they informed the general public about shifts that would otherwise have not been brought to light. This led to many critics brandishing these artworks as crude, as their frank sense of certainty was often uncomfortable to look at.

Realism was a subtle but incredibly direct departure from the Romanticism movement, as life was no longer glorified in the paintings produced. While the interest in the seemingly ordinary aspects of life might not be as noteworthy today, Realism signified a major shift in the history of art.

Of all the artists who practiced within this movement, only a few proved to be notable. These artists included Gustave Courbet, Honoré Daumier, and Jean-François Millet.

Key Elements of the Realism Movement

Focusing on contemporary subjects and settings, Realism paintings and artists attempted to depict people of all social classes in the same light, so that one group was not continuously favored over another. Images that lent themselves to classical idealism, drama, and any form of sentimentalism were largely avoided. Rather, chaotic aspects of life were emphasized, as they came off as completely unappealing and removed the element of pretentious beauty altogether.

For Sunday’s Dinner (1888) by William Harnett; William Harnett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Within the visual art world, Illusionistic Realism was said to depict all forms, perspectives, and precise details, like light and color, in order to create the most accurate image possible. Thus, these naturalist works gave off an illusion of what reality looked like from the 1850s onwards. This period of history was also said to give way to the development of other artistic movements such as American Regionalism, Social Realism, and Kitchen Sink Realism.

The most essential element of Realism was the complete avoidance of artificiality in every aspect of the artworks that were created.

For one of the first times in artistic history, human relations and emotions were treated with respect in paintings, as they were allowed to exist truly as they were without any modifications. By attempting to capture a precise and detailed representation of subjects and emotions, Realism paintings and artists revolted against the use of exaggeration, as ordinary life was not thought to be so overstated.

The Travelling Companions (1862) by Augustus Egg; Augustus Egg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In essence, the subject matters chosen by Realism artists demonstrated the social changes that were brought on by the Revolution. The artistic focus that had previously been reserved for the upper class suddenly shifted to the ordinary lives of common individuals. This was because these individuals were thought to offer the most accurate representation of what life was truly like during this period, with artists displaying even the most miserable and disordered elements of life in their artworks.

The style of Realism eventually spread to almost all genres of art and went on to influence the future emergence of Impressionism. The subject matters favored by Realism artists meant that the movement was never fully embraced by upper- and middle-class patrons and critics, who viewed the increasing frankness in these works to be shocking and disturbing.

Realism initiated the general move away from the “ideal” and more towards the “ordinary”, as artists felt free to depict real-life that was devoid of all aesthetics and universal truths.

Our Top 15 Most Famous Realist Paintings and Artists of All Time

The Realism art movement was an incredibly notable period within art, as its emphasis on the ordinary ushered in a new era of artistic exploration. Due to this, many Realism artifacts exist that capture the true essence of the movement. Of all the artworks that were made, several Realist paintings stand out above the rest as they were thought to have helped pioneer the development of the movement. Below, we will be discussing our top 15 Realism paintings and artists to come from this time.

The Stone Breakers – Gustave Courbet

A painting that encapsulates the ideals of the Realism movement is The Stone Breakers, which was painted by the French artist Gustave Courbet in 1849. As the leader of the Realism group, Courbet was commissioned to paint several artworks, which have all gone on to achieve equal fame during the movement’s height. After exhibiting this work at the Paris Salon in 1850, Courbet received immense backlash from audiences and critics. However, this reaction was also said to have sparked a major change in the development of Realism.

The Stone Breakers (1849) by Gustave Courbet; Gustave Courbet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Within The Stone Breakers, Courbet depicted two peasants who were appeared to be breaking rocks for the construction of a road. By giving viewers a snapshot into the everyday lives of these workers, Courbet was able to authentically portray a scene that had taken place in the real world and was thus devoid of any grandiose elements.

With the backs of the workers turned away from viewers, Courbet added a sense of anonymity to his work as he refused to focus on the part of the image that would generally draw the most attention.

By depicting a scene that was known to be physically demanding and severely underpaid, with the faces of the individuals hidden, Courbet demonstrated a blatant departure from the long-held customs of traditional painting. More attention was given to the men’s tattered clothing and their relationship to the land, which differed greatly from the art society was used to. The Stone Breakers was said to be too common for the aristocratic society who viewed art, as depictions of peasant life were undeserving of attention by the upper class.

Ploughing in the Nivernais – Rosa Bonheur

One of the well-known female Realism artists was Rosa Bonheur, who was generally regarded as the most famous female painter of the entire 19^th century. Her artwork, Ploughing in the Nivernais, painted in 1849, is widely considered to be her best work. Bonheur went on to depict farm animals and rural landscapes in the majority of her paintings, which were commended for the extreme realism that was present. Ploughing in the Nivernais was commissioned by the government and went on to win the First Medal at that year’s Salon.

Ploughing in the Nivernais (1849) by Rosa Bonheur; Rosa Bonheur, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

According to the painting’s title, Bonheur depicted the first ploughing of the season, which was usually done in early autumn to break up the surface of the soil for winter. In her work, twelve oxen are shown to be peacefully ploughing the land in preparation, yet the focus of the work seems to fall on the tranquility present in the landscape. Ploughing in the Nivernais tells a gracious story of the unending hardships of a peasant, including their work, lives, and traditions. The atmosphere within this painting brings about a humble sense of realism.

By presenting an image of oxen and men working together to harvest the land, Bonheur comments on the relationship between man and nature.

A seamless scene is depicted where the animals appear as the true heroes of the work, leaving little room for the men to be noticed. Thus, Bonheur’s work exists as a praise of the agricultural labor that peasants were required to do, with this common activity being elevated in status due to the attractive scene it sets. Interestingly, this Realism painting was one of the few that drew solid critical acclaim.

A Burial at Ornans – Gustave Courbet

A Burial at Ornans, painted between 1849 and 1850, exists as the most celebrated painting completed by Gustave Courbet. Due to its vast size, this artwork drew both acclaim and condemnation from critics and the public when it was initially exhibited, as it treated a standard provincial funeral with unflattering elements of Realism. Measuring 3.1 meters by 6.6 meters, A Burial at Ornans was heavily criticized for its magnitude, as a painting this size was traditionally reserved for heroic and religious scenes in contemporary painting.

A Burial at Ornans (1849-1850) by Gustave Courbet; Gustave Courbet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Courbet depicts the 1848 funeral of his great-uncle, which took place in Ornans, France in September. However, despite representing a somber event, Courbet defied all expectations associated with death by presenting the funeral in such a realistic way. Traditionally, these events contained moments of both grief and beauty so that viewers could easily visualize the soul of the departed gracefully rising to the heavens. Instead of this, Courbet places more emphasis on the mourners, who appear to be paying little attention to the priest.

A Burial at Ornans noticeably lacks the sentimentality expected in a genre work like this. By stripping the work of all artificial indications of grief, the faces of the mourners appear more exaggerated in nature, with critics accusing Courbet of deliberately slighting religion by pursuing a sense of unpleasantness in his painting.

Through creating a background made up of several anonymous individuals, Courbet was able to depict something as mundane as a funeral service with unknown individuals, without any spiritual values, and on a grand scale.

The Horse Fair – Rosa Bonheur

Another of Rosa Bonheur’s famous Realist paintings is The Horse Fair, painted between 1852 and 1855. As the majority of her artworks tended to focus on animals, this painting proves to be no different, as the focus is placed on a group of horses in the foreground of the painting. The Horse Fair is widely considered to be the most iconic Realism artwork that was produced during the movement’s peak. Existing at a monumental size, Bonheur dedicated herself to the study of draft horses for a year.

The Horse Fair (1852-1855) by Rosa Bonheur; Rosa Bonheur, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Disguising herself as a man for a year and a half, so as not to draw attention to herself, Bonheur attended the Boulevard de I’Hôpital horse market in Paris and completed endless sketches of the animals. These drawings made use of both simple line drawings and more detailed elements. While Bonheur portrayed dealers, who were busy selling their horses at the market, the real focal point of this work was the intense power, beauty, and strength of the horses that she managed to capture.

The skillful treatment of movement and the whirl of dark and light surrounding the untamed animals was juxtaposed by the calm and expert handlers who were leading the horses around the canvas. Despite this being an incredibly busy painting, Bonheur was able to balance the motion in the middle with the simplicity and stillness that can be seen in the foreground.

This painting proved to be very popular, as it was praised for its flawless details of both the horses and the riders and went on to garner universal fame after the 1853 Salon.

La rencontre (Bonjour Monsieur Courbet) – Gustave Courbet

The final artwork of Gustave Courbet that has been included on this list is La rencontre (Bonjour Monsieur Courbet), which was painted in 1854. Existing as one of the first paintings to receive the controversial label of “avant-garde”, this painting demonstrated Courbet’s willingness to risk his reputation in search of a new method of visual expression. This new method of Realism helped him to break down the old approaches to artmaking, which can be seen within various elements of La rencontre.

La rencontre (Bonjour Monsieur Courbet) (1854) by Gustave Courbet; Gustave Courbet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In this large painting, Courbet created a type of self-portrait by depicting himself on the right side of the canvas meeting Alfred Bruyas, who was an essential patron and supporter of his work. Depicting himself as a traveling man who had just come across two noblemen, Courbet emphasized the notion of self-importance through the way he portrayed himself.

By placing himself in the direct light with his head titled slightly back, Courbet implies that the focus of the work should fall to him, with the stick he carries further accentuating his great strength.

La rencontre is notable for the boundaries that were broken by Courbet, as he went on to set a new pace for artistic exploration within this work. As both men appear to be in the countryside to paint, Courbet went on to make a comparison between them through their stance. He suggested that he was far superior to Bruyas, as he carried all his art supplies in a backpack, while the latter needed a servant to trail after him with what he needed. Thus, this artwork emphasizes the idea that both Bruyas and viewers of the work are on Courbet’s turf.

The Gleaners – Jean-François Millet

An artist who was considered to be one of the famous Realist painters was Jean-François Millet. He painted The Gleaners in 1857, which is widely considered to be one of the most important works of the entire Realism movement. While Millet went through a stage of focusing on landscapes, the concept of gleaning repeatedly returned to him for over seven years. Gleaning describes the backbreaking work of removing the bits of grain that were left in the fields after the harvest, with this job falling to women and children.

The Gleaners (1857) by Jean-François Millet; Jean-François Millet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Gleaners exists as Miller’s best artwork due to its portrayal of the realities of the lower class. Within this painting, he depicted three ordinary women engaged in very common activities for the working class. As gleaning was widely considered to fall to the lowest rank of French society at the time, Millet portrayed this laborious work in a way that placed these workers at the forefront of our attention.

In doing so, Millet makes a stark comment to not forget this integral part of the workforce, as without them the harvest would not happen.

Despite their circumstances of poverty, Millet granted a quiet dignity upon the women who met their task with a strong fortitude despite its monotony. Millet viewed the theme of gleaning as an eternal one, which led to him linking The Gleaners to stories taken from the Old Testament. Despite this religious link that he added, his painting proved to be very unpopular when it was submitted to the Salon in 1857. Its bland and mundane subject matter greatly enraged the public after viewing it, as it was not seen as worthy of attention.

The Angelus – Jean-François Millet

Another of Jean-François Millet’s best Realist paintings is his The Angelus, which he painted between 1857 and 1859. This artwork demonstrated Millet’s desire to shine a light on the lives of the French peasants and the hardships they suffered, so as to educate those belonging to aristocratic society about life outside of their social circle. This painting came to be after it was specifically commissioned by art collector Thomas Gold Appleton, however, he famously never came to collect the work once it had been completed.

The Angelus (1857-1859) by Jean-François Millet; Jean-François Millet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Within The Angelus, Millet depicted two farm laborer’s with their head bowed and reciting the prayer, The Angelus, after a hard day’s work out in the field. Both individuals appear to be leaning over a basket of potatoes, while the man on the left holds his hat in his hands and the woman on the right has her hands firmly placed in prayer.

The Angelus was a well-known prayer for deliverance at the time of Roman Catholicism, with this painting demonstrating a simple act of devotion and prayer for salvation by the lowest class in society.

With the sun setting in this distance, The Angelus marked the moment prayer began at 6 p.m., as a bell would have been heard from the church in the background signaling the end of the day. Despite their tattered clothes and bowed shoulders, the workers have a quiet dignity about them. This artwork influenced Surrealist Salvador Dalí, who instead saw the workers to be praying over their buried child. In 1963, The Louvre conducted an X-ray scan of the work, which in fact showed a hidden outline of a geometric shape similar to that of a coffin.

The Old Musician – Édouard Manet

Although most often studied within the context of Impressionism, French artist Édouard Manet produced a few notable Realism artifacts during his career. Seen as a pivotal figure in the transition period from Impressionism to Realism, Manet painted with outstanding modernity, which led to him depicting the working class within his Realist paintings. The Old Musician, which he painted in 1862, is the largest painting ever produced by Manet, which noticeably displays the influence that Gustave Courbet had on his artistic style at the time.

The Old Musician (1862) by Édouard Manet; Édouard Manet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Old Musician exists as a grand example of Manet’s ability to capture the impressions of everyday life. The painting depicts several individuals standing around the musician in the center of the work who is about to play the violin for them to listen to. The musician was speculated to be Jean Lagrène, who was the leader of a local gypsy band at the time.

The individuals pictured in this scene were constantly scrutinized, as none of them seemed to create a cohesive group.

At the very right of the painting, an Oriental man wearing a turban and a long robe is shown, who is standing directly opposite a young mother without shoes on and her newborn baby. By just considering these two figures, their clothing and subsequent social classes differ greatly, which emphasizes the discord present. The Old Musician contained a series of references to Manet’s other paintings, such as the man in the top hat, who also appeared in his 1859 painting, The Absinthe Drinker.

The Third-Class Carriage – Honoré Daumier

Considered to be one of the most famous Realist painters was the French artist Honoré Daumier, who created the series of paintings titled The Third-Class Carriage between 1862 and 1864. Known to be a very graphic painter, Daumier frequently characterized the livelihoods of the lower class and the impact that industrialization had on modern urban life in France. Daumier painted other train scenes from the first- and second-class compartments, yet The Third-Class Carriage proved to be the most influential out of the three works.

The Third-Class Carriage (1862-1864) by Honoré Daumier; Honoré Daumier, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A recurrent theme of Daumier’s that can be seen within this work is the effect that urbanization had on the working-class people of Paris. While still paying particular attention to the form of public transport, The Third-Class Carriage places more emphasis on the way that social hierarchy was still enforced in a time that was supposedly so modern.

By portraying members of a lower class in the third-class carriage, a scene that was not by any means uncommon, Daumier commented on the social politics still at play within France.

The individuals within the carriage appear to be exhausted after a long day’s work, with the focus of the painting falling on the figures seated on the wooden bench in the foreground. A soft glow of light seeps in through the window, which further highlights the nursing mother, the old lady, and the sleeping boy, who exude a peacefulness not often accompanied with public transport. Wealthier passengers appear to be seated behind them and are separated by a bench that divides the two classes, which further implies the division that existed in France.

Olympia – Édouard Manet

Manet’s other notable and supposedly Realist painting was Olympia, which he painted in 1863. Manet was very fond of the female form and went on to depict many female nudes in a few of his artworks. He also tended to focus on the life of French society as well, which can also be seen in his paintings. Within Olympia, Manet made use of his two favored subject matters, as he represented a lower-class prostitute posing in the nude. Due to the supposedly vulgar scene, this work was instantly controversial from the moment it went on exhibition.

Olympia (1863) by Édouard Manet; Édouard Manet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The woman, whose name was thought to be Olympia, is shown to be lounging on an open bed, in a way that invites viewers to join her. In the background, a maid is seen bringing her flowers, which were probably a gift from a lover. Manet created a stark contrast between these two women not only through their skin color but by the fact that the maid appeared to be fully dressed in her work attire while the prostitute lay there completely naked. However, despite this vulnerability, the woman appears completely at ease with her lack of clothing.

The unashamed and challenging gaze with which the woman addressed viewers was Manet’s way of challenging upper-class society’s hypocritical notions of decency.

Through choosing to depict a prostitute, Manet made a very overt comment on bourgeois society at the time, who preferred to keep such indecent activities under wraps despite it being a well-known part of society. Thus, Olympia was made to be purposefully provocative, as Manet intended to shock viewers at the 1865 Salon, who incidentally flocked to see this painting.

Barge Haulers on the Volga – Ilya Repin

An iconic Russian painter within the Realism movement was Ilya Repin, who went on to paint Barge Haulers on the Volga between 1870 and 1873. Seen as responsible for introducing Realism in Russia, Repin was a big advocate for Social Realism, which can be seen in some of his artworks. Seen as a criticism of the profit of human labor, Barge Haulers on the Volga focused on the difficulties of ordinary sailors and dockworkers in the well-known ports along the Volga River during this time.

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1870-1873) by Ilya Repin; Ilya Repin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Spending months sitting alongside the Volga River and documenting the ships, and their hardworking sailors, Repin painted Barge Haulers on the Volga after many preparatory sketches. This allowed him to create an incredibly accurate portrayal of the working lives of these seamen, who vigorously toiled onboard the decks every single day. In this work, Repin depicted 11 male haulers who are shown to be from different ethnic backgrounds due to their distinct appearances, slowly pulling a barge upstream on the Volga River.

The physical exhaustion is evident from the way these men walk, as they are doubled over from fatigue. The warmer tones of the river and bank contrast against their weathered skin and the dark shadow that their bodies make as they clump together. Only one man stands out from the group due to his brightly colored clothing and his youthful look. He is shown to be more upright than his fellow workers, as he seems to be unburdening himself from his binds.

This motion captured the spirit of protest against exploitation and the return of dignity.

Whistler’s Mother ­– James McNeill Whistler

American painter James McNeill Whistler was well-known for his abandonment of Realism in favor of developing his own style of modern painting. His most notable work was painted in 1871 and was titled Whistler’s Mother, although it is also known as Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, and used his mother as his subject matter. This painting went on to become the first American work that was purchased by the French government in 1891, which greatly elevated Whistler’s reputation as an artist and secured him many wealthy American patrons.

Whistler’s Mother (1871) by James McNeill Whistler; James McNeill Whistler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Whistler’s Mother is quite grim and serious at first glance, but art critics and audiences have remained fascinated throughout the years by Whistler’s ability to portray his mother in such a high level of detail. Clothed in a long black dress and a white lace cap, it remains unclear if his mother was in mourning or simply wearing a modest outfit that was in keeping with the time’s fashion.

Sitting in profile, “Whistler’s Mother” has been dubbed “The American Mona Lisa” as it contains the same level of secrecy and skill as Da Vinci’s painting.

Living with her son at the time, Whistler asked his mother to pose for him after a model canceled their scheduled session. As she was 67 years old at the time, Whistler modified his composition so that she could be painted in a seating position for her comfort. Interpreted as a symbol for motherhood, Whistler’s Mother exists as such an important painting as it was one of the very few works that were appreciated by the bourgeois society while resonating with the masses at the same time. This was because it required little explanation.

The Gross Clinic – Thomas Eakins

Another American Realism painter that we have included on our list is Thomas Eakins, who painted The Gross Clinic in 1875. During the mid-1800s, many medical developments were taking place, which helped lead the way towards the innovations that changed the world. Eakins’ displayed a great fascination with medicine during this time, with his work existing as a snapshot of a lecture taking place at Jefferson Medical College. Throughout time, The Gross Clinic has infamously been referred to as one of the best American paintings to exist.

The Gross Clinic (1875) by Thomas Eakins; Thomas Eakins, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Known as one of the chief medical institutes in the world during the 1800s, Eakins’ captured a lesson being taught by Dr. Samuel D. Gross, who was the 70-year-old lecturer then. Dressed in a black coat, Gross is seen in the middle of the composition while he presumably gives a lecture about the surgery that was currently taking place next to him to a room full of eager students. Over Gross’ shoulder, to the right of the work, is his clinic clerk Dr. Franklin West, who was taking notes of the orthopedic operation currently underway.

In the top left corner, Eakins inserted himself in the audience. This was said to be influenced by his own anatomy and dissection courses, as he paid great attention to the details of the surgery. Displaying great artistic skill, the scientific effort of this painting was acutely contrasted against the emotional reaction of the only woman present in the bottom left corner.

“The Gross Clinic” was viewed with scrutiny due to its unsightly nature, as audiences struggled to comprehend the sheer truth of reality within this work.

Nighthawks – Edward Hopper

Painted in 1942, almost a century after the Realism movement reached its peak, Nighthawks is still considered to be an important Realist painting. American artist Edward Hopper was well-known for his use of Realism, as the overall style of the genre had changed very little despite the time that had passed. Nighthawks is considered to be one of the most recognizable American paintings to ever be created, as it depicts a typical scene within America during the post-World War Two era.

Nighthawks (1942) by Edward Hopper; Edward Hopper, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During the 1940s, industrialization had transformed life in the Westernized world. In Hopper’s painting, he portrayed four lone individuals in a sparsely furnished downtown diner at night. A single light source is shown, which lights up the entire room, spills outside onto the pavement, and contrasts greatly against the other shadows in the street. Although it was seen as quite simple, Hopper’s manipulation of setting and dramatic lighting illustrated the themes of alienation, depression, and ambiguity that existed in America after the war.

None of the figures in Nighthawks appear to be interacting with one another, which further represented the isolation felt in the scene. Through this depiction, Hopper reflected the hard lives and struggles that individuals experienced during the darkest days in American history, as the horrors and depravity of the war permanently changed society.

Painted with an open-ended narrative, Hopper demanded viewers to complete the story, which was typical of his style at the time.

Christina’s World – Andrew Wyeth

The final painting on our list, which was also painted long after the Realism movement had ended, was produced by American artist Andrew Wyeth. Christina’s World, painted in 1948, is one of the best-known American paintings to come from the mid-20^th century despite an initial slow reaction towards it. Painted during a time where polio was rife throughout America, Wyeth was said to have depicted Anna Christina Olson, who was an acquaintance of his that suffered from a crippling degenerative muscular disease.

Featuring the figure sitting in the tall grass looking towards a lone farmhouse, Wyeth depicted Olson as being unable to walk due to her condition. Despite it seeming like she is merely lounging in the field, Olson was trying to crawl and helplessly move across the field towards the house. Christina’s World represented the harsh reality that those suffering from polio had to deal with. However, instead of depicting a grim scene, Wyeth painted Olson with a great desire to see the world, as evidenced by her willingness to crawl across the field.

While Wyeth inserted a small sense of determination, Olson still remained limited to just the plain patch of grass within the scene. Olson’s scrawny arms and legs, as well as her slight frame, create an air of vulnerability about her. This is further emphasized by her body facing away from viewers so that we are not even able to catch a glimpse of her face. Within this work, Wyeth was able to create the feeling of foreboding, as it remains unsure as to what the figure in the grass is going to do to get to the farmhouse.

The Realism movement in art history proved to be incredibly influential, as demonstrated by the types of artworks that came from that period in time. While our list of famous Realist painters and their iconic artworks is by no means exhaustive, we have covered the top 15 paintings that are typically recognized when it comes to discussing the important tenets of Realism. If you have enjoyed reading about these paintings, we encourage you to further explore some of the more unknown Realist paintings that were produced during this era.

Take a look at our Realism artists webstory here!