Courbet, Gustave

Gustave Courbet was a French painter born in 1819, known for leading the Realist movement in 19th-century art. He rejected romanticism and idealized portrayals, instead focusing on depicting ordinary people and everyday scenes with honesty and detail. Courbet's work emphasized the physicality and truth of human life, often challenging traditional academic standards. His paintings, like "The Stone Breakers" and "A Burial at Ornans," are celebrated for their bold composition and social commentary. Courbet's influence helped shift art toward a more honest and direct representation of modern life, paving the way for future modernist movements.