Realism in Art has been a cornerstone of human expression, from the earliest cave paintings to Renaissance masterpieces. Ancient civilizations have excelled in figurative art, creating detailed sculptures and paintings of gods, heroes and everyday life.
While realistic art, or representational art, intends to accurately portray the visible as it is, and values precision and detail, abstract art focuses on creative expression beyond visual reality and values interpretation and innovation.
Abstract Art, on the other hand, is a more recent development. While there are examples of abstract elements in ancient art, it was only until early 20th century that abstract art truly emerged as a distinct movement. Pioneers like Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich sought to express emotions, ideas and spiritual concepts through non-representational forms, colours, and shapes. This shift was influenced by movements like Cubism which deconstructed objects into geometric shapes. Abstract art continued to evolve with movements like Abstract Expressionism in the mid-20th century, championed by artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, emphasizing spontaneity, emotion and the unconscious mind.
Today, both representational and abstract art continue to thrive. Abstract art has gained widespread acceptance and appreciation. The two styles often complement each other, and many contemporary artists combine elements of both in their work. Ultimately, the distinction lies in whether the art is primarily focused on representing a recognisable subject or exploring abstract forms and colours.