Realism (mostly in the very beginning of the style, middle of 19th cent) in the arts is the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding artistic conventions, implausible, exotic and supernatural elements. Social Realism is state endorse art style in the second half of 20th cent (both Russia and China). Idealised-cartoonish realistic image of Stalin surrounded by adoring him children is a good example of propaganda image of Social Realism. From one hand it's is an image of one of the greatest mass-murderer of the 20th century. From another, was he admired? Definitely he was! At the time of his life, wining fascism and as a great leader of newly formed Soviet Union with communism ideals. Realism as an art as a style, yes! Whether if the image is real, idealised or manipulated, that's is the judgment of time. And as we all know, propaganda is always the manipulation of reality... Your good philosophic question can't be answered yes or no.