The 19th century was a time of significant artistic change in Europe, particularly in France.
It is society at its best, its worst, its average, he said of his practice.
In short, it’s my way of seeing society with all its interests and passions.
It’s the whole world coming to me to be painted.
Scroll down to learn more about Courbet and the characteristics of his art.
Who was Gustave Courbet?
Daguerrotype photo of Gustave Courbet, c. 1850 (Photo: Felix Nadar viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
By the time Courbet was about 30, he settled into a style that did not belong toRomanticismor Classicism.
Instead of portraying idealized figures and historical scenes, Courbet was interested in rural life.
He believed that artists should paint what they knew, which in his case was the French countryside.
Gustave Courbet, “The Wheat Sifters,” 1854 (Photo:Musee D’Arts De NantesviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
In his opinion, this crude stylistic approach more accurately reflected the anomalies of nature.
This large-scale depiction shocked audiences a theParis Salonwith its realism.
Unfortunately, the masterpiece was destroyed during WWII.
Gustave Courbet, “Young Ladies Beside the Seine,” 1857 (Photo:Musée des Beaux-ArtsviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
He based all of the figures and the event itself on the funeral of his great uncle.
French art critic Guillaume Apollinaire said, Courbet is the father of the new painters.
His unusual approach to paintingthe focus on imperfections and the reality of the common peopleinfluenced many later artists.
Gustave Courbet, “After Dinner at Organs,” 1857 (Photo:Palais des Beaux-Arts de LilleviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustave Courbet, “The Painter’s Studio,” 1849–1850 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustave Courbet, “The Stonebreakers,” 1949 (Painting lost due to fire in 1945) (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustave Courbet, “A Burial at Ornans,” 1849–1850 (Photo:Musée d’OrsayviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustave Courbet, “The Sleepers,” 1866 (Photo:Petit PalaisviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
