Art History Timeline / Realism
Realism for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Realist artists painted real life as it is. Instead of kings and heroes, they painted farmers, workers, animals and families. They wanted to show the world honestly.
For teachers
Realism rejected idealized history and mythological subjects in favour of contemporary life, often including working people. Courbet and Millet in France painted rural labour at a serious, large scale. In the United States, artists such as Winslow Homer and Henry Ossawa Tanner painted everyday American life with dignity.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Ordinary people working or resting
- Earthy, natural colours
- Real places and animals
- Careful, true-to-life details
Meet the artists
Jean-François Millet
1814 to 1875
He painted farm workers in the fields, like The Gleaners.
Rosa Bonheur
1822 to 1899
She was a famous animal painter. Her huge painting The Horse Fair is at The Met.
Winslow Homer
1836 to 1910
He is known for paintings and watercolours of the sea.
Henry Ossawa Tanner
1859 to 1937
He was the first African American painter to become famous around the world.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
The Horse FairRosa Bonheur, 1852 to 55The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Haystacks: AutumnJean-François Millet, ca. 1874The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Inside the BarWinslow Homer, 1883The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Young Ladies of the VillageGustave Courbet, 1851 to 52The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Be a realist for 20 minutes. Draw someone in your home doing an everyday job, like washing dishes or reading. Draw exactly what you see, including folds in clothes and the light from the window.
Ms Artastic lessons
There is no Ms Artastic lesson for this part of the timeline yet. In the meantime, the Free Art Lesson Library has lessons you can teach this week.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryBooks for your art shelf
- Winslow Homer (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions teachers and parents ask
What is Realism in art?
Realist artists painted real life as it is. Instead of kings and heroes, they painted farmers, workers, animals and families. They wanted to show the world honestly.
What time period is Realism in art from?
Time period: 1840s to 1880s. Where: France, the United States and Europe.
Who are some famous artists of Realism in art?
Jean-François Millet (1814 to 1875), Rosa Bonheur (1822 to 1899), Winslow Homer (1836 to 1910) and Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 to 1937).
What is an easy art project for kids about Realism in art?
Be a realist for 20 minutes. Draw someone in your home doing an everyday job, like washing dishes or reading. Draw exactly what you see, including folds in clothes and the light from the window.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
More famous-artist video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
