Realism in relation to art is when the subject of the artist is shown in a realistic manner, as close to 'reality' as possible - the way the subject actually looked.

The artists of the Realist school which emerged in France in the mid 1800's wanted to do away with the idealization of subjects which was a common feature of some other art movements such as Neoclassicism and Romanticism. They wanted to show the natural truth of their subject. Realism is therefore sometimes called 'Naturalism'.

Realist artists chose subjects from everyday life around them. Often we see in their paintings images of some the poorer members of society. Before this, such subjects had been deliberately overlooked by many artists.

This painting is by French Realist artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796 - 1875)
	Woman with a Pearl Date Painted: ? Size: 349 x 266cm Materials used: Oil on Canvas Current Location: Louvre, France