Romantic Era; Preferences and Perspectives

For the Romantic blog assignment I decided to compare Realist Style to Photography. I chose to compare and contrast these styles of art for a couple different reasons. One reason was that although both of these styles of art have their differences they also have many similarities. I learned in the lesson that the use of photography was used during the American Civil War and realist styled pieces are used to capture things such as regular activities. That stuck out to me, because both of these styles subject matters were complete opposites, in this situation, however they both capture important times of our history. I also recognized and learned through the lesson that realist art was before photography, so it was neat to learn how far art has developed from where it began. 

The pieces below are examples of realist style art. 

“The Stone Breakers” 

Date; 1849-50, in Paris

Artist; Gustave Courbet

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/realism/

“Niagara Falls”

Date; 1857, is now in Washington

Artist; Frederic Edwin Church

(From the lesson on Blackboard)

I chose both of these paintings for the realist part of my blog post because I enjoy how both of the artists have a different style of painting. In the first piece I thought that the brush stroke that the artist used was very intricate and detailed. In the second piece I also enjoyed the different strokes that the artists used, but in this painting the colors and flow of the piece are what caught my attention. They are both paintings but the great detail and the stories behind each piece, bring the image alive. 

The pieces below are examples of photography in the romantic era.

“Winter on Fifth Avenue, New York”

Date; 1893

Artist; Alfred Stieglitz

http://masters-of-photography.com/S/stieglitz/stieglitz_winter_on_fifth_avenue.html

“The Manger”

Date; 1899

Artist; Gertrude Kasebier

https://liliannattel.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/women-photographers-gertrude-kasebier-rebels/

I chose these two photographs because I liked how they were both different from each other The first photo stuck out to me because I enjoyed how the style allows the audience to jump back in time. Another reason I enjoyed this piece was because of the environment that the picture takes place in, the snow and horse carriages. In the second photo I thought it was really unique and clever that the photographer chose to make the focal point the mother and her baby. I like how there are only a few shades and colors in this piece, so that the colors and shades don’t take away from the image and the message it conveys. The perspective of this piece allows the audience to decipher what the photographer was trying to capture. I also really enjoy the grain that is shown in both of these images. 

Photography and Realistic styled artwork are similar in the way that the artist’s intention is to make the pieces feel alive and real. With both of these styles of art, I believe that the artist is using their techniques and forms of art that they understand, to share a story with the audience. Despite the fact that both of these styles have many similarities, they also have many differences that make them unique. For example, the paintings of the realistic pieces allows the artist to express their emotions and attitudes on the subject on their piece through the different brushstrokes and even color that they chose to use. In the photography pieces, the artist is using techniques such as the lighting and exposure to determine what they find important in the piece. 

The reason I chose to compare Realistic Styled art and Photography was because I like the idea that both of these styles are trying to create a story or even share a story to its viewers. As I was looking at pieces for my blog, I thought it was fascinating to see just how many different pieces, of both kinds, there really are. I also thought it was quite interesting that while looking at the different pieces I felt the emotion of each piece. For example, in the “Niagara Falls” piece I was able to personally connect to that piece since I have been lucky enough to get to visit this amazing place. Through the lesson, I found it quite intriguing that no matter what style of art it is, they all bring emotions onto its viewer. 

Literature Cited

The Lesson on the Romantic Era 

“Realism Movement Overview.” The Art Story, 2019, https://www.theartstory.org/movement/realism/.

https://art200.community.uaf.edu/2009/05/05/531-romantic-artists/

(from the lesson)

“Alfred Stieglitz.” Masters of Photography: Alfred Stieglitz, n.d., http://masters-of-photography.com/S/stieglitz/stieglitz_winter_on_fifth_avenue.html.

Nattel, Lilian. “Women Photographers: Gertrude Kasebier Rebels.” Lilian Nattel’s Old Journal, 30 Jan. 2009, https://liliannattel.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/women-photographers-gertrude-kasebier-rebels/.