- Date of birth: 10 June 1819
- Date of death: 31 Dec 1877
- Country: France
Biography:
10 June 1819 in the French city of Arcane the birthplace of the painter Gustave Courbet. He was doing genre and portrait painting, was completed within romanticism, by engaging in realism in art. The life of Gustave Courbet was a bright shooting star, is full of UPS and downs. The artist was original, romantic personality. He carried the world your individual style, filled with creative imagination and imagination.
His father was the owner of the vineyard, engaged in farming and trade. As a child, Gustave, was a lively, sociable, inquisitive child. He loved the outdoors, friends, relatives. The boy loved to invent stories, to read and draw.
At the age of twelve his parents sent him to study at the Seminary. They thought that their son will find the Church of San and become a priest. But the young Gustave attitude towards learning lightly. Spiritual leaders have refused to give absolution. The Seminary had to quit. Father encouraged him to study and become a lawyer. He believed that knowledge of the law helps son in life, and he will acquire good, prestigious profession. In 1837 he went to study at the preparatory courses in law in the Royal College of Besancon in France. In parallel with his studies he started painting. Creative art he was attracted by all its beauty. He worked independently in the art studios, where students portrayed Nudes. Teachers were artists-novelists and the representative of Neoclassicism S. A. Flajole. Gustave with pleasure mastered the basics of such works and painted self-portraits. Art subdued all its harmony and perfection, and he was determined to devote his life to art. In the beginning it was very difficult, but the young man had withstood all the trials of life, to become a real artist.
In 1839 he made a trip to Paris. He was drawn to other cities, countries, meet interesting people, travel. In Paris he became acquainted with the work of Spanish and Dutch artists who visited their exhibitions and galleries, and visited the Louvre. He later by their example, created a bright, expressive paintings in dark tones of watercolor. This technique was interesting to him. Then the artist moved to Switzerland, where he continued his studies painting.
In 1841 the master of a brush has created magnificent art work “self-Portrait with black dog”. The English Spaniel was presented to him by a friend. Gustave loved his four-legged pet! This picture has been posted in the Paris salon. His portraits aroused the admiration of the public and was a huge success! The artist traveled the globe, taking in the sights of Belgium and the Netherlands. People bought his work. Seven paintings he bought the founder of the school of painting in the Netherlands. His work is bought by the government of France. Gustave Courbet received for his work award – Gold medal of the salon.
The naturalism of the artist has caused a lot of criticism and controversy in the circles of artists. Courbet founded the realistic school, which spread to Belgium and other countries. He arranged personal exhibitions. Gustave Courbet was married, had a son. He posed for many a model. He searched them for inspiration.
In 1871, the master of the brush, he was appointed Commissioner for culture of the Paris commune. He defended the works of art during the defense of Paris. Gustave Courbet was the leader of the demolition of the vendôme column. The police subjected him to arrest and confiscation of the paintings with the property. The artist was serving a sentence six months in jail upon conviction. Later he had to reimburse the money to restore a historic monument. He sold his paintings and went to Switzerland. Soon Gustave Courbet fell seriously ill, he had dropsy. Died on a winter day 31 Dec 1877.