realista

Realista is a term in Spanish and Portuguese meaning both “realist” (adjective) and “a realist” (noun). It derives from Latin realis, via French and the Romance languages, and is related to the word real, meaning actual or pertaining to reality.

In arts and letters, realista refers to adherents of realism, a 19th-century movement that sought truthful, unsentimental depictions of everyday life and social conditions. Realism arose as a reaction against Romanticism and has continental variations in painting and literature. In painting, realist artists aimed to represent ordinary people and ordinary scenes with objective detail; in literature, realist writers pursued accurate portrayals of social life and institutions. Notable examples are found across France, Russia, and the Americas, with movements and works that emphasize observation over idealization.

In philosophy and the social sciences, realism describes theories that posit a reality independent of perceptions or theories. A realista in this sense is someone who accepts realism as a framework for understanding knowledge, ontology, or epistemology. In political theory and international relations, realism emphasizes national interest, balance of power, and pragmatic diplomacy, contrasting with idealist or utopian approaches. In everyday language, calling someone realista can simply acknowledge a practical, evidence-based, or unsentimental outlook.

Realista also appears as a proper noun in various contexts, including surnames, publications, or fictional entities, depending on the language and region. The term’s exact meaning is therefore context dependent, spanning linguistics, art, philosophy, and politics.