Naturalism

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 paintings 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^{[citation needed]} 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^[1] Unlike the Rococo time period there was no ornamentation in these paintings and they were very direct and simple.^[1] These paintings also had moral undertones and portrayed non-aristocratic people.^[1] Some examples of this are Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin’s “Grace at Table” and “Paul Revere”.^[1]

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.

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. As well as a major turning point in art.

See also

• Art periods
• Expressionism (as a reaction to Naturalism)
• Naturalism in literature
• Naturalism in the theatre
• Landscape Art

Sources

• Hauser, Arnold. 1999. The Social History of Art. Vol. 4. Naturalism, Impressionism, The Film Age. 3rd ed. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-19948-4.
• “History of Art: Study Guide 14th Century to the Present.” 18th Century Naturalism and The Enlightenment Era Natural Painting. 22 April 2011 <http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~fellows/hart206/18thcen.htm>.

References

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