The Industrial Revolution was a major social and economical transformation that took place in Europe between approximately 1760 and 1840. The once rural and agricultural society of England experienced a great change when technology advanced, shifting society to become more industrial and urban. With this sudden change of lifestyle, society went through many alterations and reforms. Many cultural and economic adjustments effected everyday life in Europe and these effects eventually spread worldwide. The reactions to the rapid industrialization were deep in society. The breakdown of the family occurred and new values emerged. One important social reaction was the emergence of socialist and communistic ideals. All of these changes and new ideals can be seen and understood through the art, music, and architecture of this time.
Three types of visual art emerged in reaction to this period: Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism. Romanticism and Impressionism both reflected society's longing for the beauty of the country and simpler times before factories, railroads, and polluted cities dominated the land. Realism on the other hand, depicted the hardships of life through art. When a society goes through such extreme changes as Europe did during the Industrial Revolution, people experience emotions ranging from joy to curiosity to fear to sadness. The art of this time reflected and illustrated these emotions. Historic artworks, music compositions, and theatrical productions are portals to the 18th and 19th centuries, capable of transporting us and modern historians back to Industrial times. Art is a universal language allowing us to see life from someone else's eyes.