An artist assessed as much by his personality as by his work, French painter and writer Gustave Courbet's renown centers on his paintings of peasants and labourers of the mid-nineteenth century and his presentation of himself as a passionate social commentator. Motivated by strong political views, Courbet's art formed a paradigm of Realism: a consciously democratic attempt to objectively represent contemporary life. This in-depth Grove Art Essentials title explores the life and work of the ground-breaking artist, from his training and early politicized works through an analysis of Courbet's writings, critical reception, and posthumous reputation.

I. Life and work.
1. Training and early works, to c 1849.
2. The Realist debate: peasant and modern 'history' pictures, 184955.
3. Leisure and private life as subject-matter: landscapes, hunting scenes, still-lifes and portraits, late 1850s and the 1860s.
4. Renewed political awareness in the 1860s.
5. The Commune, exile in Switzerland and collaboration: late works, 18717.
II. Working methods and technique.
1. Painting.
2. Drawing.
III. Writings.
1. The Realist debate.
2. Political views.
3. Character and personality.
IV. Critical reception and posthumous reputation.
Writings
Bibliography
Early sources
General
Monographs and symposia
Catalogues
Specialist studies
Studies of particular works
Other