Final answer:
Realism is the artistic movement focused on representing things as they are, providing an accurate depiction of everyday life, differentiating itself from the stylized or idealized art of movements like Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, and Abstract art.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Movement of Realistic Representation
The movement or style of representing familiar things as they actually are is known as Realism. Realism is focused on depicting everyday life and society without embellishment or idealization. Artists like Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francois Millet depicted individuals of all social classes with a commitment to presenting life truthfully, without artificiality or avoidance of sordid aspects.
Differences Between Realism and Other Art Movements
Impressionism, for instance, differed by its focus on light and color rather than accurate depiction. Post-Impressionism built upon Impressionism with a greater emphasis on symbolic content and formal elements. In contrast, Surrealism and Abstract art moved away from realistic depictions, with Surrealism delving into dream-like imagery and Abstract art focusing on forms, colors, and textures without representational content.
Unique Aspects of Realism
Realism stands out for its commitment to presenting the world as it is, with a sense of immediacy and a directness that is different from the idealized or stylized representations seen in other periods, such as the Edo Period of Japan which, while also depicting daily life, was influenced by its own cultural and artistic traditions. Realism's influence extended into the realm of photography, with this new medium providing an even more direct means of capturing the real world.