Early in the period, artists accompanied the exploratory expeditions to the west in pursuit of understanding the Louisiana Purchase. Not Pike's bunch, for that explore was part of an illegal overthrown effort. But those who came later, Fremont, Long, James, and the surveys of Wheeler, Hayden, Powell and Whitney. Some of the artists became household words. Russell, Remington, Moran...

I think development of realism in painting occurred due to the challenge of photography. WH Jackson in Colorado for example. His capture of Mt of the Holy Cross became world famous almost overnight, as did the Moran painting of the same.





It wasn't just paints that were improved to meet the challenge, but also the tools, brushes and techniques used to apply them.

Realism is both time consuming to produce, and like the Harryhausen stop animation with models, sometimes too perfect. Diamonds sparkle due to their flaws, and better placed flaws produce more fire. Flawless diamonds are colorless, and unemotional.

I like the Impressionists who rebelled against the perfection in art, and broke the rules in music.