During the Renaissance, a renewed interest in realism occurred, particularly in the field of art. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael strived to depict the human form and the natural world with greater accuracy and realism. This focus on realism reflected a shift away from the stylized and symbolic art of the Middle Ages and a desire to capture the essence of the visible world.
In the 19th century, realism emerged as a distinct movement in literature, art, and philosophy. The philosophical concept of realism became associated with the belief that reality is independent of the mind and that human understanding is limited to the empirical world of sense experience. Realist philosophers, such as John Locke and David Hume, argued that knowledge is derived from observations and experiences of the external world rather than from innate ideas or abstract reasoning.
In the realm of literature, realism emerged as a reaction against the romantic and sentimental literature that had dominated the previous era. Realist writers such as Honoré de Balzac, Gustave Flaubert, and Charles Dickens sought to portray life in an objective and truthful manner, depicting ordinary people and everyday situations without idealizing or romanticizing them. Realist literature focused on the detailed observation and accurate representation of社会, often addressing social and political issues.
The development of realism also influenced other artistic movements, particularly in painting and photography. Realist painters, such as Jean-François Millet and Courbet, focused on depicting scenes from everyday life and the working class, while photographers, such as Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis, used their medium to document social conditions and raise awareness about social issues.
In philosophy, the development of realism continued throughout the 20th century, influencing various schools of thought, such as logical positivism, analytic philosophy, and scientific realism. Realist philosophers argued for the objective nature of reality and the importance of empirical evidence in understanding the world.
In summary, realism has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy and art, but it gained prominence during the Renaissance before becoming a distinct movement in literature, art, and philosophy in the 19th century. Realism in various fields emphasizes the importance of accurately representing and understanding the world as it is, based on empirical observations and experiences.