Today’s lecture focussed on realism as we shift away from romanticism. A critical aspect that I noticed in the realist art was the underlying message. With the less imaginative and more realistic art, artists could have deeper messages in their works. A good example of this was Honore Daumier and the third-class carriage. This painting called to attention the experiences of poor people in a way that we have not noticed in other movements or eras.
I also really enjoyed looking at Winslow Homer’s Crack The Whip. I enjoyed seeing how one artist’s movement spanned multiple continents while maintaining the same central themes. American realism is very similar to what we looked at in Europe, though that is not necessarily true of every other movement. Homer’s painting did have its touches on it, with the schoolhouse and general environment being quintessential New England. I think impressionism will continue to interest me as we discuss that next.