Naturalism (art)
Encyclopedia
Naturalism in art refers to the depiction of realistic objects in a natural setting. The Realism
movement of the 19th century advocated naturalism in reaction to the stylized and idealized depictions of subjects in Romanticism
, but many painters have adopted a similar approach over the centuries. One example of Naturalism is the artwork of American artist William Bliss Baker
, whose landscape
painting
s are considered some of the best examples of the naturalist movement. Another example is the French Albert Charpin
, from the Barbizon School,with his paintings of sheep in their natural settings. An important part of the naturalist movement was its Darwinian perspective of life and its view of the futility of man up against the forces of nature.
Naturalism can be considered a reaction to the Rococo
style and embodied characteristics like unaffected, honest, simple and people in natural settings/jobs Unlike the Rococo time period there was no ornamentation in these paintings and they were very direct and simple These paintings also had moral undertones and portrayed non-aristocratic people Some examples of this are Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin’s “Grace at Table” and “Paul Revere”
Naturalism began in the early Renaissance
, and developed itself further throughout the Renaissance
, such as with the Florentine School
.
Naturalism is a type of art that pays attention to very accurate and precise details, and portrays things as they are.
Realism (arts)
Realism in the visual arts and literature refers to the general attempt to depict subjects "in accordance with secular, empirical rules", as they are considered to exist in third person objective reality, without embellishment or interpretation...
movement of the 19th century advocated naturalism in reaction to the stylized and idealized depictions of subjects in Romanticism
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
, but many painters have adopted a similar approach over the centuries. One example of Naturalism is the artwork of American artist William Bliss Baker
William Bliss Baker
William Bliss Baker was an American artist born in New York City who was just beginning to hit his stride as a landscape painter in the Realism movement when he died at his father's house at Hoosick Falls, New York at the age of 26 due to a back injury received while ice skating several months...
, whose landscape
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s are considered some of the best examples of the naturalist movement. Another example is the French Albert Charpin
Albert Charpin
Albert Charpin, born in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes in 1842, died in Asnières-sur-Seine in 1924. He was a naturalist painter. He painted real objects in a natural setting. Albert Charpin, born in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes in 1842, died in Asnières-sur-Seine in 1924. He was a naturalist painter. He...
, from the Barbizon School,with his paintings of sheep in their natural settings. An important part of the naturalist movement was its Darwinian perspective of life and its view of the futility of man up against the forces of nature.
Naturalism can be considered a reaction to the Rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
style and embodied characteristics like unaffected, honest, simple and people in natural settings/jobs Unlike the Rococo time period there was no ornamentation in these paintings and they were very direct and simple These paintings also had moral undertones and portrayed non-aristocratic people Some examples of this are Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin’s “Grace at Table” and “Paul Revere”
Naturalism began in the early Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, and developed itself further throughout the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, such as with the Florentine School
Florentine School
The Florentine School refers to artists in, from or influenced by the naturalistic style developed in the 14th century, largely through the efforts of Giotto di Bondone, and in the 15th century the leading school of the world...
.
Naturalism is a type of art that pays attention to very accurate and precise details, and portrays things as they are.
Controversies about terms
Some writers restrict the terms "Naturalism" and "Realism" for use as labels for period styles of the middle and late nineteenth century in Europe and America, thus making available the terms "naturalism" and "realism," all lowercase, for tendencies of art of any period so long as the works strive for an accurate representation of the visible world. Thus, "Naturalism" is tied to a time and place, whereas "naturalism" is timeless.See also
- Art periodsArt periodsArt period n. A phase in the development of the work of an artist, groups of artists or art movement.-Renaissance:Renaissance c. 1300 - c. 1602...
- ExpressionismExpressionismExpressionism was a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas...
(as a reaction to Naturalism) - Naturalism in literatureNaturalism (literature)Naturalism was a literary movement taking place from the 1880s to 1940s that used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character...
- Naturalism in the theatreNaturalism (theatre)Naturalism is a movement in European drama and theatre that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It refers to theatre that attempts to create a perfect illusion of reality through a range of dramatic and theatrical strategies: detailed, three-dimensional settings Naturalism is a...
- Landscape ArtLandscape artLandscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
Sources
- Hauser, Arnold. 1999. The Social History of Art. Vol. 4. Naturalism, Impressionism, The Film Age. 3rd ed. London: Routledge. ISBN 0415199484.
- “History of Art: Study Guide 14th Century to the Present.” 18th Century Naturalism and The Enlightenment Era Natural Painting. 22 April 2011