What is realist?

Realism is an artistic and literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against romanticism. Realist artists and writers sought to represent the world as it is, without idealization or embellishment. They focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people, often portraying the working class and their struggles. Realist literature and art often featured themes such as social justice, industrialization, and the effects of poverty and inequality on individuals and society as a whole. Some of the most prominent realist writers include Gustave Flaubert, Honoré de Balzac, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain, while realist painters included Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, and Édouard Manet. The realist movement had a significant impact on the development of modern art and literature, and the principles of realism continue to influence artists and writers to this day.