Hyperrealism vs. Realism — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 4, 2024
Hyperrealism enhances realism by emphasizing intricate detail and illusion of reality, while realism portrays everyday life with a more straightforward approach.
Difference Between Hyperrealism and Realism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hyperrealism is an art movement that aims to achieve an illusion of reality through extremely detailed focus, whereas realism is an older movement that depicts ordinary life with more emphasis on the authentic, unembellished depiction.
Hyperrealism artists often use photographs to ensure accuracy in their renderings, on the other hand, realists rely on live observation to capture the essence of the moment.
Hyperreal paintings and sculptures appear almost more real than reality itself, showcasing minute details that the human eye might miss in a casual observation, while realism focuses on the big picture and avoids excessive detailing.
Hyperrealism not only captures the appearance but also the texture and nuances of a subject, whereas realism often portrays a broader interpretation of its subjects.
Hyperrealism tends to involve a more technical approach, employing tools like cameras and digital imagery for precision, while realism sticks to traditional artistic techniques.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An art form that creates highly detailed renderings that appear more real than reality.
An art form focused on depicting everyday scenes and ordinary people without embellishment.
Techniques
Uses photographs and digital images as references.
Based on live observation and sketching.
Detail Level
Extremely high detail, even capturing textures and minute variations.
Moderate detail focusing on the overall scene.
Intent
To create an illusion that is more real than real, often evoking a sense of hyper-clarity.
To represent life as it is, often with a social or moral purpose.
Historical Period
Emerged in the 1970s as an advancement of Photorealism.
Originated in the mid-19th century as a reaction to Romanticism.
Compare with Definitions
Hyperrealism
Aims to create emotional, narrative depth through visual accuracy.
A hyperrealist sculpture might depict water droplets on skin with such fidelity that they seem wet.
Realism
Avoids artificiality; instead, it opts for natural depiction.
A realist novel might describe mundane daily activities without embellishment.
Hyperrealism
An art movement characterized by the depiction of real-life scenes in more detail than the human eye perceives.
A hyperrealist painting might show every wrinkle in a worn leather jacket, reflecting intricate textures.
Realism
Often associated with a critique of society and social structures.
Realist painters of the 19th century often depicted the hardships of the working class.
Hyperrealism
Involves techniques that enhance the normal visibility and clarity of the subject.
In hyperrealism, a portrait might include the reflection in the subject's eyes, showing a detailed scene.
Realism
Typically uses traditional techniques such as oil painting and sketching.
A realist artist might use only brushes and oil paints to create their artworks.
Hyperrealism
Focuses on subjects that can be mistaken for a high-resolution photograph.
A hyperrealist artist may paint a car with reflections that mimic real life perfectly.
Realism
An art movement focused on representing everyday life accurately without idealization.
A realist painter might depict a bustling city street scene with visible imperfections.
Hyperrealism
Often uses technology like high-resolution cameras to capture details.
Hyperrealist artists may take hundreds of photos to capture all angles and details for their work.
Realism
Emphasizes the ethical or truthful portrayal of subjects.
Realism in literature often involves complex characters with realistic, relatable problems.
Hyperrealism
An artistic style characterized by highly realistic graphic representation.
Realism
(sciences) The viewpoint that an external reality exists independent of observation.
Hyperrealism
A style in art that attempts to reproduce highly realistic graphic representations
Realism
An inclination toward literal truth and pragmatism.
Hyperrealism
(music) A compositional style defined by Noah Creshevsky as "an electroacoustic musical language constructed from sounds that are found in our shared environment (realism), handled in ways that are somehow exaggerated or excessive (hyper)."
Realism
The representation in art or literature of objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are, without idealization or presentation in abstract form.
Realism
The scholastic doctrine, opposed to nominalism, that universals exist independently of their being thought.
Realism
The modern philosophical doctrine, opposed to idealism, that objects exist independently of their being perceived.
Realism
A concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary.
Realism
An artistic representation of reality as it is.
Realism
(philosophy) A doctrine that universals are real—they exist and are distinct from the particulars that instantiate them.
Realism
As opposed to nominalism, the doctrine that genera and species are real things or entities, existing independently of our conceptions. According to realism the Universal exists ante rem (Plato), or in re (Aristotle).
Realism
Fidelity to nature or to real life; representation without idealization, and making no appeal to the imagination; adherence to the actual fact.
Realism
The practise of assessing facts and the probabilities of the consequences of actions in an objective manner; avoidance of unrealistic or impractical beliefs or efforts. Contrasted to idealism, self-deception, overoptimism, overimaginativeness, or visionariness.
Realism
The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
Realism
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that physical object continue to exist when not perceived
Realism
The state of being actual or real;
The reality of his situation slowly dawned on him
Realism
An artistic movement in 19th century France; artists and writers strove for detailed realistic and factual description
Realism
(philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names
Common Curiosities
What is realism?
Realism is an artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, focusing on depicting everyday life and ordinary people without romanticization or dramatic elements.
Why did hyperrealism develop?
Hyperrealism developed as artists sought to express and explore reality with an even greater level of detail and precision, often influenced by advancements in digital photography and imagery.
What is hyperrealism?
Hyperrealism is an art movement that creates extremely realistic and detailed artworks that appear more real than reality itself.
Can hyperrealism be considered an extension of realism?
Yes, hyperrealism can be viewed as an extension or an evolution of realism, taking the depiction of reality to an even more detailed and heightened level.
What are common subjects in hyperrealism?
Common subjects include close-ups of the human body, detailed cityscapes, or everyday objects portrayed in a way that emphasizes their textures and imperfections.
What are common subjects in realism?
Realism frequently features scenes from everyday life, such as workers, families, or ordinary landscapes, often with a focus on the socio-economic conditions of the subjects.
Is hyperrealism more popular than realism today?
While both movements have their followers, hyperrealism often attracts attention for its technical prowess and stunning visual clarity, making it popular in contemporary galleries.
What skills are most important for a hyperrealist artist?
Key skills include a keen eye for detail, patience to capture minute elements, and often, mastery of digital imaging techniques.
How do viewers typically react to hyperrealism?
Viewers often react with astonishment at the level of detail and realism, sometimes questioning whether they are looking at a painting or a photograph.
How do hyperrealism and realism differ in technique?
Hyperrealism often uses photographs as a reference to achieve high precision and detail, whereas realism relies on live observation and the artist’s interpretation.
How do viewers typically react to realism?
Viewers may appreciate realism for its truthful representation of life and its capacity to highlight social issues and human emotions.
Do hyperrealism and realism use the same materials?
No, hyperrealism may use additional digital tools and photographic references, while realism typically sticks to traditional painting and drawing materials.
What skills are most important for a realist artist?
Important skills for a realist artist include strong observational abilities, technical skill in traditional art forms, and a deep understanding of human conditions and environments.
Which movement is older, hyperrealism or realism?
Realism is older, having developed in the mid-19th century, while hyperrealism emerged in the 1970s.
Can a realist artwork be hyperrealistic?
While both styles aim for realism, a realist artwork typically does not achieve the extreme level of detail seen in hyperrealistic works.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
