7.8

Transition from Classicism to Romanticism

  • The discussion begins with the note on the end of the period of rationality.
  • Classicism, identified as an artistic school, represents a shift into the Romantic era.
  • This shift showcases a change in fashion and artistic direction.

The Rise of Realism

  • Around 1850, realism begins to gain popularity in the art world.
    • Prior to this period, Romanticism thrived with intense emotions and dramatic scenarios, such as scenes of violence or catastrophic events.
    • The interest in realism centers on portraying everyday life and the experiences of ordinary people.
    • The speaker mentions that while realism may seem less exciting, it holds significant value in its authenticity and representation of life conditions.

Key Artists in Realism

  • Gustave Courbet is highlighted as a leader in the realist movement.
  • The focus of realism is noted, with examples:
    • "The Stone Breakers" by Courbet as a notable piece that reflects the working-class experience directly through art.
    • Jean François Millet's focus on laborers, illustrated through the depiction of women collecting leftover harvests.

Timeline of Realism

  • Realist art spans approximately from 1850 to 1865.
    • Post-1865, the trend shifts toward Impressionism, but realism continues to influence writers and artists alike.

Influence on Literature

  • Two impactful realist writers are discussed:
    • Jane Austen:
      • Focuses on the struggles of women within a patriarchal society while seeking love.
      • Her narratives deliver a realistic view of life and societal norms during her time.
    • Nikolai Gogol:
      • Not mentioned in detail initially but described later: primarily known for the satire in "Dead Souls" which comments on Russian feudalism and social hypocrisy.
      • Plot summary of "Dead Souls": A man acquires a list of deceased serfs to falsely boost his societal standing, ultimately leading to farcical situations.
      • Another story, "The Nose", involves a disembodied nose leading to absurd comedic outcomes.

Contributions of Charles Dickens

  • Dickens is characterized as a chronicler of the struggles within English society, notably:
    • His serialized book releases in magazines, which created massive public interest.
    • While often romanticized, Dickens’s stories center around the lives of the impoverished in English society, such as in "A Christmas Carol."

Introduction of Foreign Literature

  • Gustave Flaubert’s "Madame Bovary" is introduced:
    • The story explores themes of lack of fulfillment within marriage and society's expectations of women.
    • Flaubert critiques the consequences of pursuing unachievable desires, portraying the personal costs involved.

Essential Realist Novels

  • Leo Tolstoy:

    • Described as a quintessential realist author; his epic, "War and Peace," details the Napoleonic invasion of Russia with rich character interactions and ethical dilemmas faced by families during the war.
    • Tolstoy is noted for his minute details in settings, emphasizing the magnitude of reality in his narratives.

  • Émile Zola:

    • Engaged in the exploration of realism through extensive series of novels based around the lives of parallel families in the socio-economic spectrum.
    • Notable pieces include novels addressing the struggles of the working class and industrialization.

Modernism and the Evolution of Art

  • The text moves into Impressionism, an evolution from realism:
    • Impressionism seeks to capture fleeting moments influenced by environmental conditions, like light and weather.
    • Artists often painted outdoors to capture the essence of everyday life.Duration.