Famous Realist Painters - List of Famous Realist Painters

The Realism art movement in painting originated in France in the middle of the 19th century, following the 1848 Revolution. Painters like Gustave Courbet revolted against the set ideals of the prevalent Romantic Movement and adopted a more independent style of unidealized painting which soon became known as the Realism art movement. Realism, which favored depiction of “real life” found many eager adherents in painters who wished to break free of the exaggerated drama of the Romantic Movement. Jean-François Millet, a realist painter who gained fame for his scenes of peasant farmers, went on to found the Barbizon school of realistic art in rural France. Realism also offered the artists the freedom of depicting social situations in an unidealized manner, thereby bringing to mainstream attention the challenges faced by the underprivileged sections of the society. Honoré-Victorin Daumier was one such artist who through his realistic depictions offered commentary on social and political life in France in the 19th century. He was best known for his unflattering caricatures of political figures and satires on the behavior of his countrymen. Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Édouard Manet, and Jules Breton were some other prominent artists of the movement. Read on for more information about the life and works of famous Realist painters.

The Most Famous Realist Painters

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Edgar DegasJuly 19, 1834FrenchEdgar Degas was a famous French Impressionist painter who depicted the Parisian life in beautiful images
Édouard ManetJanuary 23, 1832FrenchHe was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.
Andrew WyethJuly 12, 1917AmericanAndrew Wyeth was a prominent American realist painter and visual artist
CaravaggioSeptember 29, 1571ItalianCaravaggio was a renowned painter of the Sixteenth century who painted using contrasting effects between light and darkness
Almeida JuniorMay 8, 1850BrazilianAlmeida Junior was the first artist of his time to create Realistic portraits in Brazil
Thomas EakinsJuly 25, 1844AmericanThomas Eakins was an American realist painter, counted amongst the most important artists in American art history
Henry Ossawa TannerJune 21, 1859AmericanHenry Ossawa Tanner was a renowned African American painter
Thomas Eakins

Thomas Eakins

Thomas Eakins was an American realist painter, counted amongst the most important artists in American art history

AmericanJuly 25, 1844116 views

Édouard Manet

He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.

FrenchJanuary 23, 1832154 views

Caravaggio

Caravaggio was a renowned painter of the Sixteenth century who painted using contrasting effects between light and darkness

ItalianSeptember 29, 1571139 views

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner was a renowned African American painter

AmericanJune 21, 1859108 views

Andrew Wyeth

Andrew Wyeth was a prominent American realist painter and visual artist

AmericanJuly 12, 1917145 views

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas was a famous French Impressionist painter who depicted the Parisian life in beautiful images

FrenchJuly 19, 1834193 views

Almeida Junior

Almeida Junior was the first artist of his time to create Realistic portraits in Brazil

BrazilianMay 8, 1850131 views