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Social Realist Collection

Social realism is an artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, aiming to portray the harsh realities of everyday life

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Gleaners at Chambaudoin, 1857 (oil on canvas)

Gleaners at Chambaudoin, 1857 (oil on canvas)
XIR231251 Gleaners at Chambaudoin, 1857 (oil on canvas) by Hedouin, Pierre Edmond Alexandre (1820-89); Musee Municipal, Villefranche-sur-Saone

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Gleaner, 1877 (oil on canvas)

The Gleaner, 1877 (oil on canvas)
XIR155369 The Gleaner, 1877 (oil on canvas) by Breton, Jules (1827-1906); Musee des Beaux-Arts, Arras, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Returning Home (oil on canvas)

Returning Home (oil on canvas)
MAN278080 Returning Home (oil on canvas) by Veyrassat, Jules (1828-93); 22.2x35.2 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: On the Shore (oil on panel)

On the Shore (oil on panel)
MAN277430 On the Shore (oil on panel) by Feyen, Jacques Eugene (1815-1908); 16x22.1 cm; Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Blind Man, 19th century (etching)

The Blind Man, 19th century (etching)
6200241 The Blind Man, 19th century (etching) by Walker, Frederick (1840-75); 11.4x14.9 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info.: Orchar Collection); Dundee Art Galleries and Museums; English

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Harvesters (oil on canvas)

The Harvesters (oil on canvas)
XLH179493 The Harvesters (oil on canvas) by Lerolle, Henri (1848-1929); Musee des Beaux-Arts, Mulhouse, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Peat Gatherers (oil on canvas)

The Peat Gatherers (oil on canvas)
TAY153947 The Peat Gatherers (oil on canvas) by Russell, George William (1867-1935); 39x55.2 cm; Private Collection; The Taylor Gallery, London, UK; Irish, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144755 for detail)

Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144755 for detail)
XKH144756 Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144755 for detail) by Liebermann, Max (1847-1935); 180.5x226 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; German, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Women Gathering Mushrooms, from Travaux des Champs

Women Gathering Mushrooms, from Travaux des Champs
STC194686 Women Gathering Mushrooms, from Travaux des Champs, engraved by Lucien Pissarro (1863-1944) published London 1893 (woodcut) by Pissarro

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Apprentices, 1892 (oil on canvas)

The Apprentices, 1892 (oil on canvas)
XIR218969 The Apprentices, 1892 (oil on canvas) by Pion, Louis (1851-1934); Musee des Beaux-Arts, Tournai, Belgium; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Nourishment, 1858 (oil on canvas)

Nourishment, 1858 (oil on canvas)
FFA177696 Nourishment, 1858 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 81.3x65.4 cm; Private Collection; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: In Central House, Red Army Park, 1937 (oil on canvas)

In Central House, Red Army Park, 1937 (oil on canvas)
SPV212610 In Central House, Red Army Park, 1937 (oil on canvas) by Grigoryev, Nikolai (1880-1943); 72.3x53.3 cm; Springville Museum of Art, Utah, USA; eSpringville Museum of Art; Russian

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Peasants planting potatoes (pencil and chalk on paper)

Peasants planting potatoes (pencil and chalk on paper)
BRM191077 Peasants planting potatoes (pencil and chalk on paper) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 24.2x34.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Paysans plantant des pommes de terre; ); French

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Cousin Hamlet at Greville, c. 1865-73 (oil on canvas)

The Cousin Hamlet at Greville, c. 1865-73 (oil on canvas)
BLY206491 The Cousin Hamlet at Greville, c.1865-73 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 73.2x92.4 cm; Musee Des Beaux-Arts, Reims

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Detail from Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144756)

Detail from Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144756)
XKH144755 Detail from Repairing the Nets, 1889 (oil on canvas) (see 144756) by Liebermann, Max (1847-1935); 180.5x226 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; German, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Study for The Sower (charcoal on paper)

Study for The Sower (charcoal on paper)
CH133731 Study for The Sower (charcoal on paper) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Breaking Flax, c. 1850-51 (oil on canvas)

Breaking Flax, c. 1850-51 (oil on canvas)
WLT207167 Breaking Flax, c.1850-51 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 45.85x37.2 cm; Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The Potato Harvest, 1855 (oil on canvas)

The Potato Harvest, 1855 (oil on canvas)
WLT207149 The Potato Harvest, 1855 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 54x65.2 cm; Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, USA; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Harvesting Poppies in Picardy, 1860 (oil on canvas)

Harvesting Poppies in Picardy, 1860 (oil on canvas)
XIR231249 Harvesting Poppies in Picardy, 1860 (oil on canvas) by Laugee, Desire Francois (1823-96); 130.8x215.7 cm; Musee des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: An Aragonese Woodcutter, 1876 (oil on canvas)

An Aragonese Woodcutter, 1876 (oil on canvas)
XIR222254 An Aragonese Woodcutter, 1876 (oil on canvas) by Capdevielle, Louis (1850-1905); 65x40 cm; Musee des Beaux-Arts, Pau, France; (add.info.: un scieur de bois aragonais; ); French

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: A Winnower, 1866-68 (oil on canvas)

A Winnower, 1866-68 (oil on canvas)
XIR177551 A Winnower, 1866-68 (oil on canvas) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 79.5x58.5 cm; Musee d Orsay, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Two Reapers Seen from the Back (chalk on paper) (b / w photo)

Two Reapers Seen from the Back (chalk on paper) (b / w photo)
XIR155308 Two Reapers Seen from the Back (chalk on paper) (b/w photo) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); Louvre, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Churning Butter, 1866-68 (pencil & pastel on paper)

Churning Butter, 1866-68 (pencil & pastel on paper)
XIR155306 Churning Butter, 1866-68 (pencil & pastel on paper) by Millet, Jean-Francois (1814-75); 122x85.5 cm; Musee d Orsay, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: The End of the Day, 1888 (oil on canvas)

The End of the Day, 1888 (oil on canvas)
XIR156280 The End of the Day, 1888 (oil on canvas) by Cazin, Jean-Charles (1841-1901); 199x166 cm; Musee d Orsay, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Detail of the sculpture cobblestone - weapon of the proletariat by ivan shadr (ivanov)

Detail of the sculpture cobblestone - weapon of the proletariat by ivan shadr (ivanov), in plaster, 1927, at the tretyakov gallery

Background imageSocial Realist Collection: Worker figure being assembled out of stainless steel as part of a giant statue designed by v, i

Worker figure being assembled out of stainless steel as part of a giant statue designed by v, i, mukhin also featuring a collective farm girl


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Social realism is an artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, aiming to portray the harsh realities of everyday life. Through powerful and thought-provoking artworks such as "Gleaners at Chambaudoin" (1857) and "The Gleaner" (1877), social realists shed light on the struggles faced by ordinary people. In "Returning Home, " a poignant oil painting, we witness weary workers trudging back after a long day's labor. The artist captures their exhaustion and resilience, reminding us of the hardships endured by those who toil for survival. Similarly, "On the Shore" depicts fishermen facing treacherous waves while striving to provide for their families. Moving forward in time, even during times of war like World War I, social realism continued its mission. A striking example is found in the poster titled "An Austrian was going. . ". This lithograph serves as both propaganda and a stark reminder of human suffering caused by conflict. Not limited to paintings alone, social realism also encompasses other mediums such as etchings. In "The Blind Man, " an evocative etching from the 19th century, we are confronted with society's disregard for those less fortunate. Agricultural labor plays a significant role within this genre; masterpieces like "The Harvesters" and "The Peat Gatherers" depict rural workers engaged in arduous tasks under challenging conditions. These artworks emphasize not only physical exertion but also highlight themes of community solidarity amidst adversity. Furthermore, social realist artists capture scenes beyond agricultural landscapes; they delve into various aspects of daily life. For instance, in works like "Repairing the Nets, " we witness fishermen meticulously mending their nets—a testament to their dedication and resourcefulness. Additionally shedding light on gender roles within society are pieces like "Women Gathering Mushrooms. " Here we see women engaging in manual labor traditionally associated with men—challenging societal norms and advocating for equality.