In the art of the everyday genre in painting, the first manifestations appeared in the era of the Dutch Golden Age, when artists began to turn their gaze to everyday life. The depiction of everyday life, ordinary scenes and ordinary people became a key element of their work. These artistic works not only captured moments from people’s lives, but also became a kind of mirror of the sociocultural reality of that time. Over time, the everyday genre in painting has acquired various forms and styles, reflecting changes in society and artists' perception of everyday life. By delving into these origins, we can understand how this unique aspect of art was formed and developed, which has become an integral part of the artistic tradition.
How the Art of Everyday Life is Born: The Origin of the Everyday Genre in Fine Art
"The everyday genre is a journey into the world of emotions captured in the simple moments that make up the fabric of our daily lives." - Pierre-Auguste Renoir
The household genre is considered the oldest. It would seem that everything began with religion and the chanting of the gods through art. But remember the rock paintings: hunting, fishing, sitting around the fire, dancing... All this is nothing more than the everyday life of primitive people. They painted on the walls of their caves what they encountered every day.
The rebirth of the everyday genre was recorded hundreds of years later. Human culture rested on three “pillars”: Egypt, Rome and Greece. Each civilization left behind countless works of art, some of which were dedicated to the everyday life of people.
For example, in ancient Egypt, subjects of the pharaoh were often depicted on the walls of tombs. Simple peasants and servants were doing their usual things: grazing cattle, plowing the land, etc. It was believed that “mere mortals” should be depicted next to their master, since after death they would serve him in the afterlife.
In Ancient Greece, vase painting was widespread - drawings on clay pots and vases. Of course, most of the images are dedicated to myths and scenes of heroic battles. But you can also find everyday scenes from the life of the Greeks.
Middle Ages and Renaissance
The Middle Ages in Europe saw the heyday of painting on religious themes. Few people dared to depict anything other than Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary or saints on a wooden base. But some artists skillfully wove everyday scenes into their religious works. A striking example is “The Nativity of John the Baptist” by D. Ghirlandaio:
However, due to the constraint of the masters and the total ban on everything NOT religious, the Middle Ages can hardly be called the beginning of a full-fledged everyday genre as such.
The Renaissance brought new notes to fine art. Now artists often depicted weddings and all kinds of feasts as part of the daily life of different classes. But during the Renaissance, it was customary to embellish everything and imbue it with symbolism. Any object in the picture had a certain sacred meaning: fruit - fertility, a bird in a cage - chastity, a broom - deliverance from evil spirits.
In Italy, the everyday genre was not separated from the religious for a long time. The fundamental separation occurred around the 16th century. This is most clearly demonstrated by the works of Giorgione and Carracci.
The role of the everyday genre in this period of history is difficult to overestimate! Artists consciously shifted the focus of attention from portraits of the nobility and the faces of saints towards ordinary people. This made their lives more and more valuable, interesting and meaningful.
Recognized masters of that time turned to new themes: Velazquez and Rubens. Also delving into the new genre are Frans Hals, Willem Cornelis Deijster and Jan Stan.
Household paintings in the 18th-19th century
Dramatic changes occurred in the 17th century, but reached their peak in modern times. It is believed that Dutch artists were the first who were not afraid to depict life as it is. The life of a simple farmer, cleaning the house, children playing on the street, getting ready for bed - all this became the object of inspiration of the Dutch masters. It is not surprising, since Holland was the first to move into a new historical phase: the emergence of the bourgeois system.
A striking example of a painting of the everyday genre of that time can be called the painting by L. Lenain “The Family of the Thrush”:
Paintings of this kind have gained incredible popularity in Europe. Everyone was interested in how a person from a particular country lives. There were only two ways to clearly find out: go on a trip or look at the paintings.
A simple man from the crowd suddenly felt significant. Famous masters depicted on their canvases not only kings and representatives of the nobility, but also people like himself: butchers. farmers, dairymen, housewives, shoemakers. In turn, this led to the birth of the struggle for human rights, for equality and freedom. Artists contrasted the simple labor of the people with the illusory and pretentious life of the nobility.
Everyday paintings became not only philosophically significant, but also in demand among collectors. In France, real “wars” broke out for the right to own such a painting by the famous master.
Household genre in the 20th century
In the 20th century, the household genre flourished to its fullest. Posters, engravings, oil paintings, miniatures—masters of the brush use all sorts of ways to capture the lives of their compatriots.
The war had a huge influence on the work of 20th century artists. Everyday scenes were closely intertwined with the hardships of wartime and its consequences. Art has become the best method to show people's lives without embellishment and share their true problems/experiences/concerns. Pablo Picasso, Rockwell Kent, Alexander Murashko, Diego Rivera and many others actively worked in the everyday genre.
In the 20th century, displaying everyday life was no longer a thing. In everyday life, the genre has become widespread, natural and in demand.
In conclusion, the 20th century became a period of flourishing of the everyday genre in the fine arts, where artists of various directions actively interacted with the everyday life of their time. The influence of military events noticeably penetrated into creativity, reflected in everyday scenes and reflections of the consequences of the war. Many outstanding masters, such as Pablo Picasso, Rockwell Kent, Alexander Murashko, Diego Rivera, became prominent representatives of this genre. It is important to note that by the end of the century, the everyday genre had become an integral part of the artistic palette, becoming a widespread and natural way of reflecting everyday life and expressing true human problems, experiences and concerns.
Reflection of Life: Features and Meaning of Everyday Genre in Art
"The art of the everyday genre is a mirror of ordinary life, reflecting what we often lose sight of, forgetting that this is the whole point." - Veronica McKinney
In the history of fine art, there is a special genre that attracts the attention of artists to those simple but significant moments of our everyday life. The everyday genre of painting is a unique approach that allows artists to embody intimate and realistic scenes imbued with emotion and deep meaning. Let's look at the key features of this genre and dive into its aesthetics and meaning.
Here are some key features of this genre:
- Intimacy and closeness: The everyday genre strives to convey private, intimate moments from people's lives. Artists try to capture emotions, interactions and ordinary joys or difficulties.
- Realism and naturalism: Often works in the everyday genre are designed in a realistic style, trying to accurately convey the details and atmosphere of everyday life. Naturalism in the image ensures a perception close to reality.
- Genre diversity: The domestic genre can include a variety of scenes and situations, such as family dinners, morning activities, cityscapes, and work and social activities.
- Reflection of sociocultural changes: In different historical eras, the everyday genre has undergone changes, reflecting transformations in society, culture and technology. It becomes a mirror of the sociocultural reality of its time.
- Emotional Depth: The everyday genre allows artists to express a wide range of human feelings and emotions. From joy and peace to anxiety and melancholy, these works of art are able to touch deep emotional reactions in the viewer.
- Technical Skill: Often works in the domestic genre require a high level of technical skill by the artist to convey the detail and mood of the scene.
As a result, the everyday genre in painting is an important direction that has maintained its relevance for centuries. Displaying the everyday through the lens of art not only gives meaning to the smallest moments of our lives, but also serves as a chronicle of sociocultural changes. In the work of everyday artists, we find a reflection of emotional depth, technical skill and the desire to convey beauty in simple scenes. Thus, this genre continues to attract the attention and admiration of viewers, becoming an important part of the artistic heritage and history of art.
Welcome to our unique catalog of art, where each piece is a unique masterpiece. Our collection includes many outstanding works of art, among which fascinating and emotionally rich works in the genre of everyday painting stand out. Here, each painting is not just a canvas, but a story that echoes reality, captivating the eye with its intimacy and the beauty of everyday life. Immerse yourself in the world of unique and good works of art, where each painting is the embodiment of creative magic and the splendor of the everyday genre.
Several examples of paintings from famous artists:
1. Willem Cornelis Deuster, "Soldiers Playing Cards"
2. Thomas Gainsborough, The Harvest. Returning from the field"
3. Edgar Degas, "Absinthe"
4. Ilya Repin, “Evening Girls”
5. Boris Kustodiev, “Merchant's Wife at Tea”
