Realism

Realismintheartofthetwentiethcenturyisstrikingforitsdiversity.Althoughnotboundtogetherstylisticallyorbyamanifestoofintention,acommonthreadinrealistartisacommitmenttothemodernworldandtothingsastheyappear,whetheritbethedomesticclaustrophobiadepictedinSickert's'Ennui'orthesocialobservationofurbannightlifeinWeimarGermanyintheworkofChristianSchadandGeorgSchrimpf.JamesMalpasexaminestheso-called'socialistrealism'ofStalin'sSovietUnionandthecondemnationofartistsandworksnotconformingtotheacadmic-realistscruplesofAdolfHitler.WiththetriumphofAbstractExpressionisminthe1950srealismmayhavebeenthoughtoutmoded,butitsvariedandvibrantqualitywastoberevealedinthe'PopArt'backlashintheUnitedStatesandBritain,intheworkofDavidHockney,RichardHamilaton,andAndyWarhol.