Naturalism
Art based on the observation of objects rather than on theoretical or stylistic concerns.
Biography
Born
1848
Died
1884
Nationality
French
Bastien-Lepage's paintings of rural people in an earthy tonal style inspired many late nineteenth-century British painters, especially the so-called Glasgow Boys. His own work was influenced by the realist painters, such as Courbet and Millet, and also by Manet in his free handling of paint. The perceived sentimental character of his paintings contributed to their popularity. The majority were based in and around Damvillers, in the Meuse district of north-eastern France, where Bastien-Lepage spent most of his short life.
Glossary terms
Realism
Used generally for art that attempts to represent things as they appear. It specifically refers to a mid-nineteenth century movement in France, led by Gustave Courbet, that rejected the sometimes obscure subject matter of academic painting in favour of more accessible scenes of everyday life.