The New Realism art movement was a pivotal moment in the history of modern art. It emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Europe and the United States, and it was characterised by a focus on the everyday, the mundane, and the banal. This new approach to art was a sharp contrast to the highly abstracted styles of Abstract Expressionism, which had dominated modern art in the preceding decades.
The New Realism movement was spearheaded by a group of French artists known as the New Realists. This collective of artists included Pierre Restany, Yves Klein, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely, Arman and Martial Raysse, among others. These artists sought to challenge the conventions of artistic expression by creating works that depicted everyday objects in a more direct and realistic manner.
One of the most famous works of the New Realism movement is Yves Klein's "The Anthropometries of the Blue Period". This work involved the artist's body being covered in paint and then pressing it onto a canvas. This work was intended to show the artist's physical presence in the artwork, in contrast to the more abstract styles of painting which had been popular prior to the emergence of the New Realism.
The New Realism movement also had a major influence on other art forms. Pop Art, for example, was heavily influenced by the New Realism, with artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein incorporating everyday objects and images into their works. Similarly, Minimalism was also heavily influenced by the New Realism, with artists such as Donald Judd and Carl Andre creating works that focused on simplified forms and structures.
The influence of the New Realism art movement can still be seen today. Although it has been surpassed in popularity by other art styles, it still continues to be a major influence on contemporary art. Its focus on the mundane and everyday has allowed artists to explore how everyday objects can be used to create art that is both meaningful and visually striking.
The New Realism art movement was a major milestone in the history of modern art, as it marked a shift in the way artists could express themselves. Its focus on the mundane and everyday allowed artists to create works that were both meaningful and visually striking, and it continues to be a major influence on contemporary art.