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Beginning of Realism Movement
The Realism movement began with Gustave Courbet in the 1850s in order to better depict the true lives of peasants/working class society. -
The Stonebreakers by Gustave Courbet
Unveiled in 1850 by Gustave Courbet. Depicts 2 figures breaking stone for the construction of a road. Many darker colours are used, giving the painting a more solemn atmosphere, with the only option for bright scenery (the blue sky) being far away, emphasizing the workers' isolation in this gloomy setting and lifestyle. The workers being older/younger than normal portrays the physically demanding, labourous jobs of the working-class in the 19th century that helped build the high-class society. -
The Gleaners by Jean-Francois Millet
The Gleaners depicts 3 women gleaning (collecting leftover grain/produce after the harvest). In contrast to "The Stonebreakers", there are brighter colours being used as well as a more positive portrayal of scenery. However, the number of workers in this painting could be considered intimidating by the upper class, as they feared they would revolt. Millet chose to potray the physically demanding jobs of not only men, but women as well. -
The Uprising by Honoré Daumier
Not sharply painted, but more abstract and blurred. Like Courbet, uses dark colours to set a more ominous, serious tone, but has a focus on the worker in the middle wearing plain clothing. Potrays workers that appear to be creating a riot or causing a scene,which would be accurate to the time period as their work conditions were usually unfair and many people begain striking to protest against them. The figure in the middle appears to be shouting for change in his society.
