In the era of realism in the 19th century, the emergence of photography played a formative role. The development of photography not only changed the perception of reality, but also had a profound influence on painting.
Photography as a mirror of reality
Photography offered a new way of capturing the world objectively and unadulterated. It made it possible to depict everyday moments, portraits and landscapes with an accuracy that was unrivalled until then. This technological innovation influenced artists such as Gustave Courbet and Jean-François Millet, who strove for a similarly realistic depiction in their works.
Dialogue between photography and painting
The relationship between photography and painting was complex. On the one hand, artists used photographs as models for their paintings; on the other, photography encouraged them to capture aspects of reality more precisely. This led to an increased attention to light effects, textures and the depiction of movement.
Realism and social messages
Photography made it possible to document social issues such as poverty, labour and the life of the underclass. Realist artists took up these themes and used their art to draw attention to social ills. Photography thus served as a source of inspiration and a tool for socially critical messages.
Photography as an art form
Over time, photography developed into an art form in its own right. It not only influenced painting, but also established itself as a medium for artistic expression. The boundaries between photography and painting began to blur, which led to an expansion of artistic possibilities.
To summarise, photography played a central role in the development of realism. It brought a new perspective to the depiction of reality and opened up new ways of artistically exploring the world.