Final answer:
The Realism movement originated in France in the 1850s, following the 1848 Revolution, and was a response against the Romanticism of the time. It aimed to depict everyday life with accuracy, representing people of all classes and the social changes of the era, and later influenced artists in Germany and America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Root of the Realism Movement
The Realism movement was rooted primarily in France in the mid-19th century, particularly following the 1848 Revolution. This movement was a reaction against the previously dominant Romanticism, characterized by its focus on exotic and emotional content. Realism aimed to depict contemporary life as it was, often highlighting the mundane or unpleasant aspects. It portrayed people from all social classes in everyday situations, mainly influenced by the changes brought about by the Industrial and Commercial Revolutions. Although originating in France, Realism quickly spread to other countries, including Germany and later to America. In the United States, Realist artists focused on urban life and the American landscape in the context of a rapidly urbanizing population at the turn of the 20th century.
Important figures in the Realism art movement included Gustave Courbet, Honore Daumier, and Jean-Francois Millet, who sought to portray life as it truly was, sometimes also advocating social change.