The works of American realism seem a little melancholy

American realism

American literature between 1865 and 1918 is known in American literary history as the period of realism. American literature of this period was the expression of American spirit, especially American novels. Realism is a reaction to Romanticism. Face the reality, not fantasy. Realist literature paved the way for modernist literature.

Christina’s World

The high level of detail Wyeth gave to every object in his paintings encourages intense inspection, but his titles reveal the inner significance of their outwardly straightforward subjects. The title Christina’s World, courtesy of Wyeth’s wife, indicates that the painting is more a psychological landscape than a portrait, a portrayal of a state of mind rather than a place.

Saint-Nazaire, France

Robert Henri

Robert Henri was an American painter and teacher.

As a young man, he studied in Paris, where he identified strongly with the Impressionists, and determined to lead an even more dramatic revolt against American academic art, as reflected by the conservative National Academy of Design. Together with a small team of enthusiastic followers, he pioneered the Ashcan School of American realism, depicting urban life in an uncompromisingly brutalist style. By the time of the Armory Show, America's first large-scale introduction to European Modernism (1913), Henri was mindful that his own representational technique was being made to look dated by new movements such as Cubism, though he was still ready to champion avant-garde painters such as Henri Matisse and Max Weber.

Henri was named as one of the top three living American artists by the Arts Council of New York.

Reveiw

I think that although he is classified as one of the representatives of realism, in his paintings of people's homes and landscapes, he feels a hazy and dreamy feeling. Compared with other realism, its color matching is also fresher. The chroma is relatively high, and there is a magical feeling between reality and fantasy.

Early November, North Greenland

Rockwell Kent

In 1905 Kent ventured to Monhegan Island, Maine, and found its rugged and primordial beauty a source of inspiration for the next five years. His first series of paintings of Monhegan were shown to wide critical acclaim in 1907 at Clausen Galleries in New York. These works form the foundation of his lasting reputation as an early American modernist, and can be seen in museums across the country.

Review

I really appreciate his composition, coloring and painting of natural scenes, such as the lines of clouds and mountains. It has an unrealistic feeling that is contrary to reality, but it presents a beautiful picture which makes people calm and comfortable.

Semana Santa, Seville

Francis Davis Millet

In 1876, Millett returned to Boston to paint murals with John Lafarge at Trinity Church. Later, he entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium for further study. He became the first student to win a silver medal in the first year of study, and a gold medal in the following year.

During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, he was a war correspondent for several newspapers.Millett became a member of the Society of American Artists in 1880. In 1885, he was elected to the National Academy of Design in New York, where he served as vice chairman of the Fine Arts Commission. In 1893, Millett became director of decorations for the Columbus Memorial Exposition in Chicago.

It was claimed that Millett had invented the first compressed air spray paint to paint buildings. However, this may have been a forgery, since journals noted that the spray paint had been applied before Millett's time. He also participated in exhibitions all over the world, including Vienna, Chicago, Paris, Tokyo, etc.

Review

The tone of his works is dark. Although the subjects are living things, they are presented in a state similar to rest. But they also convey the vitality of the moment. The characters have a deep sense of stability.

Mojave Bus Station