Realism as an art movement emerged in the mid-19th century as a direct response to the romanticism that had dominated the art world of the time. Romanticism was characterized by its focus on idealized and fantastical subjects, often depicting grand gestures, exotic settings, and supernatural elements. The romantic artists aimed to evoke emotions and heighten the senses of the viewer. Realism, on the other hand, sought to depict the world in a truthful and objective manner. Realist artists aimed to show ordinary people and events in a straightforward and honest way, without the embellishment or idealization that characterized romanticism. They wanted to capture the reality of everyday life, including the harsh realities that many people faced. One of the factors that contributed to the rise of realism was the advent of photography. Photography offered a new way of capturing the world in a realistic manner. With the invention of the camera, artists realized that they could not compete with the clarity and precision of a photograph. Instead of trying to imitate photography, realist artists embraced its qualities and sought to capture the world in a similarly realistic way. Gustave Courbet's painting "The Stone Breakers" is a perfect example of realist art. Painted in 1849-1850, it depicts two laborers engaged in the physically demanding task of breaking stones. The painting does not romanticize or idealize the laborers; instead, it presents them as they would appear in real life. The figures are shown in a raw and unidealized manner, with no attempt to conceal the hardships and harshness of their working conditions. The painting provides a realistic view of the lives of ordinary people, rather than an idealized or romanticized depiction. Realism as an art movement had a significant impact on the art world. It represented a shift away from the fantastical and grandiose subjects of romanticism and towards a more truthful and objective depiction of reality. Realist artists wanted to portray the world as it truly was, not as it was imagined to be. Realism also had important social and political implications. The movement coincided with a period of significant social and economic change brought about by industrialization. Realist artists often depicted the struggles of working-class individuals and explored the social issues of the time. By portraying the harsh realities of everyday life, realist art provided a platform for the discussion of social issues and helped to raise awareness about the plight of the working class. In summary, realism emerged as an art movement in the mid-19th century as a reaction against romanticism. Realist artists aimed to depict the world in a truthful and objective manner, often showing the harsh realities of everyday life. Inspired by the advent of photography, realist art sought to capture the world in a realistic and unidealized way. Through their paintings, realist artists aimed to provide a realistic view of the lives of ordinary people and to raise awareness about social issues.