Naturalism naturalist

As observed in 'nature' or the natural world, it is descriptive in fine art of a style close to realism, although it may have elements of lighting and color effects that border on abstraction. Paintings by Jules Bastein-Lepage are described as Naturalist because they have a direct and non-sentimental approach to genre subjects, are drawn from Naturalist authors such as Emile Zola, and are combined with the interest in natural light and modern painting techniques adopted from the Impressionists, who drew from nature. Source: Schillier & Bodo European Paintings Gallery; AskART.com biography of Lepage.