Courbet, Gustave (1819-77). The painter Courbet started and dominated the French movement toward realism. Art critics and the public were accustomed to pretty pictures that made life look better than it was. Courbet, against much opposition, truthfully portrayed ordinary places and people.
Gustave Courbet was born on June 10, 1819, to a prosperous farming family in Ornans, France. He went to Paris in 1841, supposedly to study law, but he soon decided to study painting and learned by copying the pictures of master artists. In 1844 his self-portrait, Courbet with a Black Dog, was accepted by the Salon, an annual public exhibition of art sponsored by the influential Royal Academy.
In 1848 a political revolution in France foreshadowed a revolution in art, as people in the arts became more open to new ideas. Courbet's early work was exhibited successfully in 1849. That same year he visited his family in the countryside and produced one of his greatest paintings, The Stone-Breakers, followed by Burial at Ornans in 1850. Both were quite unlike the romantic pictures of the day because they showed peasants in realistic settings instead of the rich in glamorized situations. In 1855 he completed a huge canvas, The Artist's Studio, and, when it was refused for an important exhibition, Courbet boldly displayed his work himself near the exhibition hall.
A Burial at Ornans
1849-50 (130 kB); Oil on canvas, 314 x 663 cm (10" 3 1/2" x 21' 9"); Musee d'Orsay, Paris
The Painter's Studio; A Real Allegory
1855 (170 kB); Oil on canvas, 361 x 598 cm (11' 10 1/4" x 19' 7 1/2"); Musee d'Orsay, Paris
Courbet visited Germany in 1856, where he was welcomed by the artistic community. By 1859 he was the undisputed leader of the new generation of the French realist movement. He painted all varieties of subjects, including admirable portraits and sensuous female nudes but, most of all, scenes of nature. His series of seascapes with changing storm clouds wafting overhead begun in 1865 had a great influence on impressionist painters.
Politically a socialist, Courbet took part in some revolutionary activities for which he was imprisoned for six months in 1871. He was also fined more than he could pay, so he fled to Switzerland, where he died in the town of La Tour-de-Peilz on Dec. 31, 1877.
Portrait of Juliette Courbet as a Sleeping Child
1841 (110 kB); Graphite on paper; Musee d'Orsay
The Wounded Man
1844-54 (60 kB); Musee d'Orsay
La Mere Gregoire
1855-59 (40 kB); Art Institute of Chicago
Portrait of Gabrielle Borreau (The Dreamer)
1862 (60 kB); Oil on paper mounted on canvas; Art Institute of Chicago
Synopsis courtesy- Web Museum, Paris
Painting courtesy-J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
17 comments:
{{{{{Vince}}}}}
I always feel like I've been through a wonderful cultural experience when I've visited your journal....that is to say, I always feel like I leave with more class than I arrived with!
Thank you!!
Vivian
What a wonderful entry this is, Vince. It's like strolling through a famous art gallery but I didn't even have to leave my chair. Love this journal. It's given me an opportunity to learn so many new things. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend. Love & prayers, my friend. **Barb**
Coming to your journal everyday is making me feel more and more substantial. I feel like I am taking an art history class ! *hmmmm, maybe I should*
Look out Monet, Piccaso and Van Gogh !!
Stacy
I think I like your journal because it makes me feel like I've visited an art museum. :) This is really nice, Vince. My daughter and I both looked at the paintings up close. We were being critics, talking about light, irony, and satire, etc. It was fun! :)
Oh what I wouldn't give to have that floral in my dining room!
What a wonderful floral picture! And to think one day it may have been real! We like this painter Vince ... felt bad that he was jailed and felt the need to run from his country. I think we're going to imagine him having met you and agreed to a portrayal of you and Soren. The picture would be of Monsieur kitty cat stretching and tantalizing your giving fingers. God Bless the world where gifted people recognize the respect of all its cultures! Our thoughts of you are always high and happy.
Your virtual tours just can't be beat, my friend.
Loved the paintings and loved the history! Thanks again! : )
I absolutely love the top painting. I would love a copy of that for my home!!!
Great artist! I love the detail in the floral arrangement at the top. It almost looks like a photograph. I can see why he was considered a realist. Now, I'm thinking I need to go back to the Getty because none of these painting seem familiar which means it has been too long since I last went. :-) ---Robbie
Your floral pic looks so realistic you can almost smell the flowers. Another interesting and educatioinal entry. Thanx, V. Now, if you don't mind, you need to post another Alucard entry real soon! Barb is mass producing! LOL! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, my friend!
hey - they look just like my floral arrangements! - (not.)
beautiful vince - as always...
I love the WebMuseum...that was the first website I used to swipe images from to turn into wallpaper on my PC. It's been around a looooong time, lucky for us. :-)
-B
Hmm, I think I saw a Gustave Courbet at the Getty about two years ago. Another still life with flowers and fruits. It looks very real. Actually, it looks better than real; he's one amazing artist.
I am such an art fan!
These are fabulous!
-Connie
I really love these paintings. This is a very nice entry.
Anita
Very nice entry, I am delighted at your journal and what you post. Breath of fresh air. Have a great day. judi
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