What genre of painting emerged in the 17th century focused on everyday life?

The genre that emerged in the 17th century focusing on everyday life is known as realist genre painting. This movement was characterized by its emphasis on the depiction of ordinary, daily activities and the lives of common people, reflecting a shift from the idealized subjects of previous art forms. Realist genre painters captured scenes of domestic life, labor, and social interactions, portraying them with a level of detail and authenticity that highlighted the beauty and significance of the mundane.

In contrast, landscape painting centers specifically on natural scenery, often idealized or romanticized, rather than depicting human activity. Portraiture prioritizes individual representation and character rather than the portrayal of collective life experiences. Abstract art, emerging much later, focuses on the use of colors, shapes, and forms without direct representation of real-world subjects, distancing itself from everyday life altogether. Therefore, realist genre painting distinctly aligns with the question's context of focusing on the ordinary aspects of human existence in 17th-century art.