What is the traditional name for the extreme form of realism in which the highest possible degree of truth to appearances is aimed at?

bloomsby

Naturalism. See: http://www.ephilosopher.com/article559.html Edited to add: Obviously, one can argue that naturalism, which often went hand in hand with a naive trust in the natural sciences, takes a restricted view of truth. Nov 09 05, 7:22 AM

Flem-ish

I see: a philosopher crossed my path. I was actually thinking of an increased form of realism in arts such as painting and opera. In opera the works of Mascagni and Leoncavallo would qualify. As to naturalism in literature (e.g. Zola): this does not seem to be an increased form of realism in the first place, but rather a belief in certain types of determinism. Nov 09 05, 7:45 AM

TabbyTom

The operatic term is “verismo,” as illustrated by the inseparable Siamese twins known to English opera-goers as “Cav ‘n’ Pag.” I wasn’t aware that the term was used in other arts, but the OED gives examples of its use in connection with film and theatre, and the Oxford Companion to Art uses it in connection with painting and sculpture. It is sometimes anglicized as “verism.” Nov 09 05, 8:18 AM

Flem-ish

E verissimo! Nov 09 05, 11:49 AM