Realism

The realistic representation of people, places and/or things in a work of art. Realism is sometimes considered synonymous with naturalism. The realist school was a mid-nineteenth century style of art in which artists discarded earlier schools of thought to paint familiar scenes and events as they actually looked. Ugly or commonplace subjects were often depicted, with aims at a sociopolitical or moral message. Some artists who use realism are Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Edouard Manet, Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet.