Realist Master: Courbet

Author: He Zhengguang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: Courbet was the pioneer of French Realism in the 19th century and the leader of the Realist painting movement. He published the famous "Realist Manifesto," actively advocating for the truthful representation of reality and opposing imitation. He believed that painting is essentially a concrete art, capable of depicting only real and existing things. Courbet's advocacy had a significant impact not only on the French Realist movement but also on contemporary critical Realist literature. During the height of Courbet's creative period, the 1848 French Revolution was taking place, with active social progressive ideas. He observed social life and created many works inspired by reality, such as The Stone Breakers, The Burial at Ornans, The Artist's Studio, and The Gleaners. He directly faced the people, seeking the source of life from them. Courbet created over 1,000 paintings in his lifetime, and this book selects more than 200 of his representative works, accompanied by detailed biographical and critical texts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of Courbet's Realist masterpieces.