Die Quelle
1862
Gustave Courbet, the rebellious leader of Realism who usually preferred painting gritty peasants over pretty pictures, surprisingly delivered this lush, classical nude in 1862. The figure stands with her back turned to us, wading ankle-deep in a cool forest stream while leaning against a mossy rock face. It’s a fascinating contradiction: Courbet claimed to only paint what he could see, yet here he channels the timeless, idealized poses of Renaissance masters to create one of his most sensual and celebrated works. Today, it hangs in the Musée d'Orsay, proving that even the grittiest realists had a soft spot for beauty.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris
Views: 8