Exhibitions

"Painting is an essentially concrete art and can only consist of the representation of real and existing things." — Gustave Courbet, 1861.

The term "Realism" originated in 19th-century Europe and refers to the accurate, unembellished depiction of nature or life in art. Prior to this, Classical painters depicted things based on an ideal of beauty, while Romantic painters idealized life through subjective consciousness. In contrast, Realism emphasizes objectivity, advocating for a meticulous observation of the external world and recording the present reality without idealization.

Realist depiction generally developed along two directions: one reflects life as it truly is, portraying simple and natural environments and documenting pleasant, leisurely living; the other directly and deeply depicts social phenomena. Realist painters, informed by new scientific and social knowledge, aimed to approach art from a straightforward perspective, often focusing on the lives of the working class.

This exhibition attempts to present these two main directions of Realism, showcasing how Realist painters depict natural environments and express social concerns. The art of painting has a long history, and while viewers may not be familiar with every aspect of art, everyone possesses the ability to recognize "reality." Through the selected works in this exhibition, audiences are invited to observe different painters' interpretations and understand the development of Realism within various cultural contexts.

Mr. Kao Ying Shih has been collecting oil paintings for over three decades, amassing a rich and significant collection. This exhibition, carefully arranged by the curatorial team, focuses on "Realism," presenting the "real" of the collection and encouraging viewers to explore the nature of seeing and being seen through the lens of "visible reality" and "invisible existence."

Theme 1 : Natural depiction

In the early 19th century, the rise of Realism art was deeply influenced by the French Barbizon School. Amid political turmoil, the artists felt a social responsibility in their creations, often depicting subjects like peasants, animals, and landscapes. The Barbizon School advocated for painting outdoors, emphasizing the representation of light and shadow, which greatly impacted Realist painters of the time. Their themes and styles showed notable similarities to those of the Barbizon artists.

In this exhibition, the works of American painter Robert Schaar focus on natural scenery and rural life, characterized by seemingly spontaneous brushstrokes, yet rich in color and a profound interaction with light and shadow.

Theme 2 :Social Concern 

Social concern is a key theme in Realism art, with painters seeking the essence of subjects. They are no longer isolated in ivory towers, they based their creations on scientific discoveries about nature and society. They focused on the struggles and tranquility of the laboring and farming classes. 

The founder Gustave Courbet famously stated, " I have never seen angels. Show me an angel and I will paint one." Realist painters aimed for an objective and empirical perspective, depicting social scenes with unembellished accuracy. 

The pursuit of " reality " in Realism is reflected in the portrayal of everyday life and the working class. In this exhibition, the works of artist Chen Huei-Tung demonstrate a deep social concern, capturing fishermen and workers with a photographic technique that offers an extreme realism as a response to society.