Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:
Realism
Date and Place of Birth:
June 10, 1819, Ornans, Franche-Comté, France
Life:
Courbet, along with Daumier and Millet, founded the Realism movement in which real life (seen firsthand, by the artist) was the only valid subject matter. Though he came from a prosperous farming family, Courbet felt a peasant-like manner was more in keeping with his Republican political views and became a rather rough-looking firebrand. After his "Realism" show in 1855, he gained more financial backing, but continued to preach equality. He, in fact, did some prison time for his politics.
Important Works:
- The Stone Breakers, 1834
- Burial at Ornans, 1849
- The Meeting (Bonjour, Monsieur Courbet), 1854
- The Painter's Studio: A Real Allegory Concerning Seven Years of My Artistic Life, 1854-55
See pictures of Gustave Courbet's work in the Special Exhibition Gallery - Gustave Courbet.
Date and Place of Death:
December 31, 1877, La Tour-de-Peilz (near Vevey), Switzerland
Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with "C" or Artist Profiles: Main Index