Classical Realism
What is Classical Realism Art? Well, it is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, which attempted to combine the best of traditional realist art movements with a contemporary perspective. The underlying idea behind what is called “classical realism” is that all forms of art, be it literature, music, film, or even computer graphics, are constructed out of and for the audience. The sub-movement which came later is known as ‘postrealism’. Now just to give you a brief overview of this movement, let us take a look at some of its key characteristics.
Classical Realism Art borrows heavily from the style of the Classical Greek Culture, most notably the style of the statue Eris. This can be seen throughout ancient art, such as the statues of the Gods Eros and Aphrodite from the Parthenon and the architecture of the Parthenon itself. In addition, classical realists were also famous for their use of natural imagery.
For example, the sea, the leaves of trees and mountains, and the ever-changing sky and the stars were all used to great effect. These natural elements are used not only to accentuate the scenes within the art, but also to demonstrate the timeless quality of life and reality.
Classical Realism Art was also a staunch advocate of realism and was very critical of fictions which attempted to represent the reality through the medium of art. For example, Diderot’s novels were often described as “fiction”.
In fact, his famous book “Le diable boiteux et le ventre du monde” is completely a work of fiction! Thus, the entire premise of the novel is that reality is nothing more than a story being told by an author who has managed to make his story as real as possible. However, Diderot was also well known for his heated debates with fellow French thinker Montaigne and his refusal to accept the truth as presented by the both of them.
John Keats was another English poet who lived during the 18th century who wrote many popular works such as “Ulysses”. Unlike many other poets who express feelings in verses, Keats created poems that actually managed to convey a great deal of emotion in only a few lines of verse.
Indeed, one of the most well-known lines from “Ulysses” is “So fall from the sky, and so are we fallen”. This line alone is worth several lines of what is classical realism art, as it is able to capture the sheer power and force of nature in only a few words.
William Wordsworth was another great English poet who is well known for his love of nature, and the beauty that surrounds it. His most famous work, “The Oregon expedition”, is a classic case of realist art because it depicts the devastation that can be wrought when man destroys his environment.
Furthermore, all throughout his works, he demonstrates the finality of all endeavors, and his poems act as an excellent example of what is classical. In particular, his “Walden” is a masterpiece of Americana, as it documents the tragic decline of the American economy under the industrial revolution. In his later years, Wordsworth became known as one of the greatest American poets ever, and the “American lyric” is a testament to his ability to master the language of his times.
When you start looking into what is classical, there are a number of different genres of art that you can explore. Realism art is great for works that can be hung on the wall, and it allows you to have a good sense of the world around you. However, classical realism art takes that beauty and uses it to try to understand the human mind and its processes. As such, this type of art can also be great for understanding human nature in general, and why things happen the way they do.