Social realism is defined by choice of subject matter rather than style. Powerful images began to be used by painters in the mid-nineteenth century to affect the viewers' feelings and bring social problems to public attention. Some of the work of Thomas Faed, Richard Redgrave, Frank Holl, Luke Fildes and the early Pre-Raphaelites can be identified with social realism.
Artists
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Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery
John William North (1842–1924) -
Image credit: Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries
John Ritchie -
Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London
Richard Redgrave (1804–1888) -
Image credit: Museums Sheffield
George John Pi… -
Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
John Phillip (1817–1867) -
Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
John Pettie (1839–1893) -
Image credit: Glasgow Museums
Joseph Noel Paton (1821–1901) -
Image credit: Tate
Emily Mary Osborn (1828–1925) -
Image credit: Glasgow Museums
William Quiller Orchardson (1832–1910) -
Image credit: Bridgeman Images
George Bernard O'Neill (1828–…
Learning resources
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Lesson planThe Superpower of Looking: Hogarth pokes fun at corrupt…-
KS2 (ENG)KS2 (NI)CfE L2 (SCO)PS3 (WAL)
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Lesson planThe Superpower of Looking: children in a b…-
KS2 (ENG)KS2 (NI)CfE L2 (SCO)PS3 (WAL)
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