Gustave Courbet (1819-1877), was a French painter who is apparently one among many controversial men in the history of Art (Hoving 155). He is well known for having spearheaded the realist movement that was predominant in 19th century. Gustave Courbet committed himself to painting what he could see and strongly rebuffed romanticism and academic conventions that had been developed by the preceding generations of visual artists. These in essence stirred controversies in regards to this painter. Choosing to do his work independently set an example to the painters that came after him. As recorded, Gustave Courbet is perceived as an innovator and a role model to those that came after him owing the fact that his works were later developed and borrowed by many including the Impressionists and the Cubists. He is also acknowledged for his brave and bold character, he presented his views and notions regarding social issues boldly without any fear of intimidation and controversies. With the above said, this paper will present the ideas and Courbet’s legacy in regards to the history of Art.
Courbet’s childhood in itself exemplary owed the fact that it gave him the necessary skills and knowledge he used to present his ideas and notions as it relates to art. Courbet was born in 1819 and grew up in a supportive family that gave him all that which was necessary to nurture his development (Riat 8). He was a social and a charming person in his childhood. It is imperative to note that he enjoyed being the centre of attention during his tender age considering that he was creative and an impressive person. Though he was well educated, his formal art training as scanty. At the tender age of fourteen, he had the privilege to acquiring lessons form a neo-classical painter. Subsequent to acquiring some basic about painting, Courbet gained interest and painting a fact that fostered his urge to react against majority of the proceeding paintings. While studying at a local college, Courbet met a drawing professor who later invited him to drawing lessons. Upon meeting this professional painter, Courbet gained interest in painting and the urge to pursue his passion in painting. Apparently the aforementioned facts establish the fact that Courbet was a person who believed in his perceptions and insights regarding life. Irrespective of the fact that he had scanty background regarding art and paintings. He was able to make considerable steps towards achieving his dreams and passions without giving much attention to manipulations that had been instilled from those that worked against him.
Being at the forefront in advocating realism, it is apparent that he had some significant impacts to the modern art (Adams 630). Realism as advocated in the 19th century was a movement that is considered to be one of the wider inquests that occupied and affected the development of science and technology during this era. As a way of establishing his realm in painting, Courbet retrieved inspirations from his personal experience and perceptions. Based on the above, he was able to avert himself from the strictures of the French Academy. He strongly distasted from romanticisms that was considered advanced and instead choose to do his work in line with the humble subjects that were considered f low grade. Despite the fact that he chooses a simple procession to go by, his works gained popularity, and he consequently gained huge notoriety as a result.
In1871 during the Paris Commune, Courbet secured himself a government job where he abandoned painting for a while (Hoving 155). He fundamentally took this job for the main reason being to accomplish his left-wing obligations. Though not explicitly political, his works were not ignored owing the fact that he incorporated strong themes that include equality. In an effort to advocate equality through his works. Courbet made paintings of ordinary individuals who embraced inequality. As a way of making apparent the nature of their imperfections that had since affected the society at that time negatively.
As a way of disapproving those that were against his works, Courbet adopted the use of compositions that appeared as though they had been collaged as a way of integrating sense into his works (Küster et al. 45). At some point in this time, he discarded careful modelling and opted begun applying paint to broken items like slabs and flecks. This creative and stylistic innovation in essence created platform for the success that was to come. With his creativity and innovative aptitude, was able to win the hearts of many particularly those that were working to suppress him through academic rhetoric. His style in particular was admired by modernists who had a huge sense of liberated compositions.
Arguably, Courbet’s legacy will remain deep-rooted in the history of arts for a very long time. Apparently, his urge and propensity for democracy revolutionized and impacted western art in a positive way. Through his works, he was able to establish imperfections in the society in a more understandable manner. Being apparently the first person to work against the accredited course of action in painting, Courbet realism movements paved many other significant movements in arts that include impressionism and post-impressionism. Artist in the aforementioned era who had contact with Courbet later developed their works in congruence with those of Courbet as a way of ascertaining that Courbet is indeed their role model. Many painters who came after him acknowledged his works stating that his works had lots of creativity in it.
Conclusion
Though h Courbet’s work received critiques, he was able to persist and focus on achieving his ambitions. Apparently, Courbet was a person who was confident and self-assured. Though he had solid educational background, his passion in painting pushed him to establish his realm in this sector. He had to disapprove many of the well-educated conventional painters that one can adopt a different line of thought and still accomplish the intent of his paintings. Though his works, he was able to advocate democracy and human equality. He spearheaded the realist movement that was predominant in 19th century. He accomplished this by incorporating his ideas into paintings a fact that was later admired by many of those who came after him. In a nutshell, his realism ideas brought controversies but in the aftermath he was accepted and perceived to be an innovator.
Works Cited
Adams, Laurie S. A History of Western Art. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. Print.
Hoving, Thomas. Kunst Voor Dummies. Amsterdam etc.: Addison Wesley, 2004. Print.
Küster, Ulf, Stéphane Guégan, Michel Hilaire, Ulf Küster, Laurence Madeline, Bruno Mottin,
and James Rubin. Gustave Courbet. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2014. Print.
Riat, Georges. Gustave Courbet. New York: Parkstone International, 2012. Internet resource.
