An ‘Ism’ Overview – Realism vs. Surrealism

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Realism and surrealism are two distinct art movements that have emerged at different times and have different philosophies. Realism is an art movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, while surrealism emerged in the early 20th century. The former focuses on depicting the world as it is, while the latter seeks to depict the world as it appears in dreams and the subconscious.

Realism is characterized by its attention to detail and the representation of everyday life. Realist painters sought to depict ordinary people engaged in their daily activities, such as farmers working in the fields, factory workers on the job, or families eating dinner together. Realism also seeks to depict the world as it truly is, without any idealization or romanticization. This is why realist paintings often appear to be stark and even mundane.

Surrealism, on the other hand, is characterized by its rejection of rationality and its embrace of the irrational and the subconscious. Surrealist painters sought to depict the world as it appears in dreams, visions, and the subconscious mind. This is why surrealist paintings often appear to be dreamlike, with strange and unusual objects and creatures. Surrealism also sought to challenge traditional notions of beauty and the concept of the “perfect” artwork.

Despite their differences, realism and surrealism share some similarities. Both movements seek to convey a message or idea through their artwork, whether it be the representation of everyday life or the depiction of the subconscious. Both also seek to push the boundaries of art and challenge traditional notions of what art should be.

However, there are also some key differences between realism and surrealism. Realism seeks to depict the world as it truly is, while surrealism seeks to depict the world as it appears in dreams and the subconscious. Realism is also concerned with the representation of everyday life, while surrealism is concerned with the exploration of the subconscious mind.

In terms of technique, realism is characterized by its attention to detail and its use of traditional painting techniques. Realist painters sought to create an accurate representation of the world, using techniques such as perspective, chiaroscuro, and the use of natural light. Surrealism, on the other hand, is characterized by its use of unconventional techniques and the exploration of the subconscious. Surrealist painters often used techniques such as automatic drawing, which involved allowing the subconscious to guide the artist’s hand, and collage, which involved the juxtaposition of unrelated images to create a new and unusual image.

In conclusion, realism and surrealism are two distinct art movements that have emerged at different times and have different philosophies. Realism seeks to depict the world as it truly is, while surrealism seeks to depict the world as it appears in dreams and the subconscious. Both movements seek to convey a message or idea through their artwork, and both seek to challenge traditional notions of what art should be. However, they differ in their approach to technique and their focus on subject matter.