Social Realist, one artist at a time

Famous Social Realist Kunstnere: 18 Original Voices

David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896–1974) is the most famous Social Realist kunstner, whose singular vision gave us The March of Humanity og Barnmor. Next stand Constantin Meunier, Luke Fildes, Thomas Annan og Ben Shahn. These 18 kunstnere, from Thomas Annan (born 1829) to Chua Mia Tee (born 1931), came from 12 countries.

Our selection. Artists whose works our catalogue attaches to Social Realist, in the order of our fame ranking. Artists born after 1955 with no Wikidata identifier stay out until verified. The Wikipedia figure counts our 32 languages with an article on the artist.

  1. The March of Humanity av David Alfaro Siqueiros1David Alfaro Siqueiros
  2. Holy-Water Font av Constantin Meunier2Constantin Meunier
  3. Applicants for Admission to a Casual Ward av Luke Fildes3Luke Fildes

In brief

Social Realist in brief

  • 18Kunstnere
  • 1829–1931Fødselsår
  • 12Fødselsland
  • 2Kvinner
  • 1Levende kunstnere
  • 861Verker i vår katalog
Byer med flest fødsler
Chihuahua by (1), Etterbeek (1), Liverpool (1), Dairsie (1)
Kvinnene på denne listen
Elizabeth Olds, Miné Okubo

One artist at a time

18 Social Realist Kunstnere and their signature works

1of 18

David Alfaro Siqueiros

Mexicansk Born in Chihuahua by Social Realism, Muralism Wikipedia in 24/32 languages

David Alfaro Siqueiros

David Alfaro Siqueiros, born José de Jesús Alfaro Siqueiros in 1896 – though later research pinpointed his birthplace as Chihuahua City rather than Camargo – was more than just a painter; he was a force of nature, an embodiment of the tumultuous spirit of post-revolutionary Mexico. The years between 1919 and 1923 proved pivotal as Siqueiros embarked on an extended sojourn to Europe.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

2of 18

Constantin Meunier

Belgia Born in Etterbeek Realisme sosial Wikipedia in 16/32 languages

Constantin Meunier

Initially drawn to sculpture, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels under the tutelage of Louis Jehotte and Charles-Auguste Fraikin, honing his skills in traditional techniques. However, it was a pivotal encounter that would fundamentally alter his artistic trajectory: a visit to Gustave Courbet’s groundbreaking painting The Stone Breakers in 1851. His artistic journey also included a period in Spain, commissioned by the Belgian government in 1882, where he produced paintings primarily on religious subjects – The Café Concert, Procession on Good Friday, and The Tobacco Factory at Seville.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

3of 18

Luke Fildes

Britisk Born in Liverpool Realistisk maleri Wikipedia in 11/32 languages

Luke Fildes

Ved 1870 begynte Fildes å føle en voksende tiltrekning mot oljemaleri, et medium som tillot større nyansering og dybde enn illustrasjon. Hans kunstneriske horisonter utvidet seg utover sosial kommentar til å omfatte scener fra Venezia – reflektert av en økende fascinasjon for lys, farge og atmosfære – og en stadig ettertraktet talent for portrettkunst. Hans personlige liv var like givende; han giftet seg med Fanny Woods, søster til hans venn Henry, i 1874, og de fikk to sønner, Philip og Sir Paul Fildes – det siste ble en fremtredende vitenskapsmann.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

5of 18

Ben Shahn

Jødisk-amerikansk Born in Kaunas Sosialrealisme Wikipedia in 14/32 languages

Ben Shahn

Benjamin Shahn ble født i Kaunas, Litauen, i 1898, i en tid preget av enorme sosiale omveltninger og politisk uro for de jødiske samfunnene i Øst-Europa. Familien emigrerte til USA i 1906 og slo seg ned på Lower East Side i New York City, en levende smeltedigel preget av et yrende immigrantliv, men også av fattigdom og utnyttelse.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

6of 18

Anton Refregier

Russian Social realism

Anton Refregier

Emigrating to the United States in 1920, he brought with him a perspective shaped by the vastness of his origins and a hunger for the artistic possibilities of his adopted home. Commissioned in 1941 and executed between 1940 and 1948, this sprawling epic consists of twenty-seven panels located within the Rincon Annex Post Office.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

7of 18

Chua Mia Tee

Singaporeansk Born in Singapore Sosialrealisme

Chua Mia Tee

Da Chua ble født i Singapore i 1931, var hans liv og kunstneriske virke uadskillelig knyttet til de sosiopolitiske transformasjonene i Malaya under dets formative år. Familiens reise fra Shantou i Guangdong-provinsen til Singapore i 1937—drevet av de eskalerende spenningene under den andre sino-japanske krig—innpreget i ham en dyp, livslang forståelse for fordrivelse, motstandskraft og menneskets kamp for identitet.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

8of 18

Walter Langley

British Born in Birmingham Newlyn School, Plein Air Painting Wikipedia in 9/32 languages

Walter Langley

Walter Langley (1852–1922) står som en sentral skikkelse innen Newlyn-skolen av plein air-malere, og representerer en betydelig gren i britisk kunsthistorie ved århundreskiftet. Ved tjueårsalderen sikret han seg et stipend til South Kensington Art School, hvor han studerte design side om side med kunstnere som Frederic Leighton. Langleys kunstneriske gjennombrudd kom i 1881 da han ble tildelt 500 pund for et års arbeid av Mr.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

9of 18

Elizabeth Olds

Amerikansk Born in Minneapolis Sosialrealisme

Elizabeth Olds

Utdanning: Hun studerte husholdningsøkonomi og arkitektonisk tegning ved University of Minnesota (1916–1918), før stipender førte henne til Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1918–1921) og senere til den prestisjetunge Art Students League i New York (1ym21). Inspirasjon fra George Luks: Ved Art Students League studerte hun under George Luks, en sentral skikkelse i Ashcan-skolen.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

10of 18

Reginald Marsh

Amerikaner Born in Paris Social Realisme Wikipedia in 6/32 languages

Reginald Marsh

Reginald Marsh står som en sentral skikkelse innen amerikansk sosialrealisme, viden kjent for sine slående detaljerte skildringer av New York City på 1920- og 30-tallet. Da han ble født i Paris i 1898, like over Café du Dome, var Marshs formative år gjennomsyret av en rik kunstnerisk arv.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

11of 18

Nuri İyem

Turkish Born in Aksaray Social realism

Nuri İyem

While the Yeniler group explored various themes, İyem’s enduring fame rests primarily on his captivating portraits of women. He favored o il on board, creating textured surfaces that mirrored the complexities of his subjects. Beyond his artistic achievements, İyem’s dedication to portraying the dignity and resilience of ordinary people cemented his place as one of the most significant figures in Turkish ar t history – a painter who captured the soul of his nation through the quiet power of his portraits.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

12of 18

Harry Brodsky

American Social Realism

Harry Brodsky

Understanding Harry Brodsky requires acknowledging the context of his life – a working-class upbringing in Newark, New Jersey, and his dedication to teaching art at vocational schools. Brodsky’s artistic philosophy centered on observation and empathy. The collection at UCSB’s ADA Museum offers a comprehensive overview of his career, highlighting the breadth and depth of his artistic output.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

13of 18

Jack Levine

Born in Boston Wikipedia in 9/32 languages

Jack Levine

Zimmerman fra 1924 til 1931, og senere ved Harvard University under Denman Ross. Denne formative perioden ble ytterligere beriket av møter med store kunstneriske krefter som Hyman Bloom, Chaïm Soutine, Georges Rouault og Oskar Kokoschka, som alle bidro til å forme hans unike uttrykk. Mellom 1929 og 1933 fordypet han sine ferdigheter ved Harvard University, hvor han studerte under Denman Ross side om side med Hyman Bloom.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

15of 18

Miné Okubo

Amerikansk Born in Riverside Sosial Realisme

Miné Okubo

Fra tidlig oppmuntring innen en familie som verdsette kreativitet – hennes mor en dyktig kalligraf, faren en lærd – begynte Okubo sin vei mot formell utdanning, studerte ved University of California, Berkeley, og senere tok hun turen til Europa i 1938 for å utvide sine kunstneriske horisonter.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

16of 18

Gerard Sekoto

South African Born in Botshabelo Urban Black Art & Social Realism Wikipedia in 4/32 languages

Gerard Sekoto

Gerard Sekoto (1913-1993) stands as a monumental figure in South African art history, recognized not merely for his artistic output but for fundamentally reshaping perceptions of Black identity and experience during the turbulent era of apartheid.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

17of 18

Robert Gwathmey

American Born in Manchester Social Realism Wikipedia in 3/32 languages

Robert Gwathmey

His path to artistry was far from linear; after brief studies in business at North Carolina State College, he sought broader horizons, traveling aboard a freighter before refining his technique at the Maryland Institute Design and the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

18of 18

James Allen

American Social realism

James Allen

James Edmund Allen, a name perhaps less familiar than many of his contemporaries in the American art scene of the early 20th century, nevertheless possessed a singular and profoundly moving vision. Allen’s artistic development was shaped by a confluence of influences, ranging from his early exposure to the rugged landscapes of Montana to his engagement with European art movements.

Signature works · The 100 signature works

Signature works

Signature Social Realist works

  1. The March of Humanity av David Alfaro Siqueiros

    The March of Humanity

    David Alfaro Siqueiros

    1971

  2. Holy-Water Font av Constantin Meunier

    Holy-Water Font

    Constantin Meunier

    1854 · Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen

  3. Applicants for Admission to a Casual Ward av Luke Fildes

    Applicants for Admission to a Casual Ward

    Luke Fildes

    1874 · Royal Holloway, Egham

  4. Close No. 128 Saltmarket av Thomas Annan

    Close No. 128 Saltmarket

    Thomas Annan

    1868

  5. Letters in a Cube av Ben Shahn

    Letters in a Cube

    Ben Shahn

    1963

  6. for I say at the core of democracy, finally, is the religious element. All the religions, old and new, are there. Walt Whitman, Democratic Vistas, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man av Anton Refregier

    for I say at the core of democracy, finally, is the religious element. All the religions, old and new, are there. Walt Whitman, Democratic Vistas, 1871. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man

    Anton Refregier

    1957

  7. Malay Fisherman at Changi Beach av Chua Mia Tee

    Malay Fisherman at Changi Beach

    Chua Mia Tee

    1977 · National Museum of Singapore

  8. But Men Must Work and Women Must Weep av Walter Langley

    But Men Must Work and Women Must Weep

    Walter Langley

    1883 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

A timeline

Social Realist through its signature works

  1. 1854
  2. 1868
  3. 1874
  4. 1883
  5. 1932
  6. 1936
  7. 1937
  8. 1948
  9. 1951
  10. 1952
  11. 1955
  12. 1957
  13. 1963
  14. 1971

Figures

The figures

Every name

List of 18 famous Social Realist kunstnere, every name

  1. 1David Alfaro SiqueirosDavid Alfaro SiqueirosMexicansk · 1896–1974
  2. 2Constantin MeunierConstantin MeunierBelgia · 1831–1905
  3. 3Luke FildesLuke FildesBritisk · 1844–1927
  4. 4Thomas AnnanThomas AnnanSkotsk · 1829–1887
  5. 5Ben ShahnBen ShahnJødisk-amerikansk · 1898–1969
  6. 6Anton RefregierAnton RefregierRussian · 1905–1979
  7. 7Chua Mia TeeChua Mia TeeSingaporeansk · født 1931
  8. 8Walter LangleyWalter LangleyBritish · 1852–1922
  9. 9Elizabeth OldsElizabeth OldsAmerikansk · 1896–1991
  10. 10Reginald MarshReginald MarshAmerikaner · 1898–1954
  11. 11Nuri İyemNuri İyemTurkish · 1915–2005
  12. 12Harry BrodskyHarry BrodskyAmerican · 1908–1997
  13. 13Jack LevineJack Levine1915–2010
  14. 14Francis Montague HollFrancis Montague HollBritish · 1845–1888
  15. 15Miné OkuboMiné OkuboAmerikansk · 1912–2001
  16. 16Gerard SekotoGerard SekotoSouth African · 1913–1993
  17. 17Robert GwathmeyRobert GwathmeyAmerican · 1903–1988
  18. 18James AllenJames AllenAmerican · 1894–1964

Questions

Your questions

  • Hvilken Social Realist kunstner er den mest kjente?

    Førsteplassen går til David Alfaro Siqueiros (#1); Constantin Meunier (#2) og Luke Fildes (#3) fullfører topp tre.

  • Hvem er de 5 mest kjente Social Realist kunstnere?

  • Hvem er kjente Social Realist kunstnere i dag?

    De høyest rangerte levende kunstnere på denne listen er Chua Mia Tee (#7).

  • Hvem var den første Social Realist kunstner?

    Den eldste kunstner på denne listen er Thomas Annan (#4), født i 1829.

  • Hvem er de mest kjente kvinnelige Social Realist kunstnere?

    Denne listen inkluderer 2 kvinner: Elizabeth Olds (#9) og Miné Okubo (#15).

  • I hvilken periode blomstret Social Realist art?

    De fleste kunstnere på denne listen ble født i 1890s (5 av 18), mellom 1829 og 1931 totalt sett.

  • Hvor befinner de store verkene innen Social Realist art seg i dag?

    Museene som har flest sentrale verk fra denne listen er Pinacoteca Universidad de Colima (1), Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen (1) og Salford Museum - Art Gallery (1).

  • Hvor ble de fleste Social Realist kunstnere født?

    USA: 3 av de 18 kunstnere på denne listen ble født der, mens Storbritannia (2) og United States (2).

  • Hvilke teknikker definerer Social Realist art?

    “A crucial element of his European education involved studying Renaissance fresco techniques in Italy – a skill that would become central to his monumental mural projects.” — fra vår biografi om David Alfaro Siqueiros (#1).

  • Hvor kan jeg se flere verk av disse kunstnere?

    Vår katalog inneholder 861 verk av disse kunstnere.

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