Realism is an art movement that emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against romanticism, which focused on idealized and fantastical subjects. Realism sought to depict subjects in a truthful and objective manner, often showing the harsh realities of everyday life. Artists aimed to portray ordinary people and events in a straightforward and honest way, without idealization or embellishment. Realist artists were inspired by the advent of photography, which offered a new way of capturing the world in a realistic manner. One of the most well-known examples of Realism is Gustave Courbet's painting "The Stone Breakers" (1849-1850), which depicts two laborers engaged in a physically demanding task. The painting does not romanticize or idealize the laborers, but rather presents them as they would appear in real life, depicting the hardships and harshness of their working conditions. Chiaroscuro is a technique used in painting and drawing to create a sense of depth and volume by using strong contrasts between light and dark. This technique was developed during the Renaissance and has been used by many artists throughout history to create dramatic and realistic effects. Chiaroscuro is particularly effective in creating a sense of three-dimensionality, as it allows the artist to model and define objects by depicting the way that light falls on them. For example, in Caravaggio's painting "The Calling of Saint Matthew" (1599-1600), the artist uses chiaroscuro to create a strong contrast between the illuminated figure of Jesus and the dark, shadowy figures of the men surrounding him. This creates a dramatic effect and draws the viewer's attention to the central figure. Altarpieces are artworks that are placed on or behind the altar in Christian churches. They often consist of a central panel or image, surrounded by smaller panels or images, and are used to visually enhance and complement the religious rituals and ceremonies that take place around the altar. Altarpieces often depict scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or other religious figures, and are intended to inspire and aid in worship. They can be painted, sculpted, or made from a combination of different materials. A notable example of an altarpiece is the Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, painted by Jan and Hubert van Eyck in the 15th century. This altarpiece consists of several panels depicting various scenes from the life of Christ, and is considered a masterpiece of Flemish art. Impasto is a technique used in painting to create texture and three-dimensionality by applying thick layers of paint to the canvas. The paint is often applied using a palette knife or a brush in a manner that allows the strokes and texture of the paint to be clearly visible. Impasto can be used to add depth and dimension to a painting, as well as to create a sense of movement and energy. For example, Vincent van Gogh is well-known for his use of impasto in his paintings, such as "Starry Night" (1889), where the thick, swirling layers of paint give the artwork a sense of vibrancy and intensity. Linear perspective is a method used in painting to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface. It is based on the principle that parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance. Linear perspective was developed during the Renaissance and has been used by artists ever since to create realistic and convincing depictions of three-dimensional space. For example, in Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper" (1494-1498), linear perspective is used to create a sense of depth and to draw the viewer's eye towards the focal point of the painting, which is the figure of Jesus. The lines of the ceiling and the table recede into the background, creating the illusion of distance and space.