Realism as an art movement emerged as a reaction against the Romanticism and Neoclassicism that preceded it. During this period, the 1850s through the 1880s, artists and writers turned away from the idealized and the dramatic to focus on ordinary subjects and people 🖌️👥.

This shift in art coincided with major political and social changes. The aftermath of the 1848 Revolutions across Europe had a profound impact, challenging established orders and prompting a more critical look at society and its institutions 🚩👥.

The development of photography also played a significant role in Realism. The ability to capture life as it truly appeared further inspired artists to adopt a more truthful, unembellished style in their work 📷.

In literature, authors like Gustave Flaubert and Charles Dickens brought the principles of Realism to the written word, exploring the complexities and challenges of contemporary life in their narratives 📚.

In summary, Realism was both a reflection of and a reaction to the times. It was an era where the focus shifted to the real and the everyday, both as a response to the societal transformations taking place and as an artistic endeavor to portray life in its most authentic form.