GC
Gustave Courbet
42quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Gustave Courbet was born as Guglielmo Gustavo Doré on January 10, 1819, in Ornans, France.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: January 10, 1819
Died: December 31, 1877 (age 58) in La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland
Nationality and Profession(s)
French painter, sculptor, and politician. Courbet was a prominent figure in the development of Realism, an art movement that sought to accurately depict everyday life.
Early Life and Background
Courbet's family moved frequently during his childhood due to his father's position as a merchant. His mother, Sophie Vallès, introduced him to painting at a young age. Courbet was largely self-taught in the arts but received some formal training from Antoine-Jean-Baptiste Thomas in Ornans.
Major Accomplishments
Courbet founded the Realist art movement and is considered one of its leading figures. He also developed the concept of "The Painter of the People," which aimed to create artworks that reflected the lives and struggles of ordinary people.
Notable Works or Actions
"The Stone Breakers" (1849): A seminal work that represents Courbet's commitment to Realism, this painting depicts two peasants breaking stones on a rural road.
"Burial at Ornans" (1849-1850): This massive canvas captures the funerary procession of a local peasant and highlights Courbet's ability to convey emotion through his artwork.
* Leading the Paris Commune: In 1871, Courbet played a key role in the establishment of the short-lived but influential Paris Commune, which aimed to revolutionize French politics.
Impact and Legacy
Courbet's innovative approach to art had a profound impact on subsequent artistic movements. His pioneering work paved the way for other notable Realist artists such as Jean-François Millet. Courbet also left an enduring mark on the world of politics through his involvement with the Paris Commune, which continues to fascinate historians and scholars.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Courbet's ideas about art and its relationship to society are still widely studied and debated today. His commitment to Realism and his vision for a more inclusive art world have made him an enduring figure in the history of art. The quotes attributed to Courbet often reflect his passion for artistic innovation, social justice, and the role of art as a tool for change.
Courbet's legacy serves as a testament to the power of art to challenge societal norms and inspire new perspectives. His groundbreaking works continue to captivate audiences worldwide, ensuring that his name remains synonymous with artistic innovation and intellectual curiosity.
Quotes by Gustave Courbet
Gustave Courbet's insights on:
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Beauty, like truth, is relative to the time when one lives and to the individual who can grasp it. The expression of beauty is in direct ratio to the power of conception the artist has acquired.
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To know in order to do, that was my idea. To be in a position to translate the customs, the ideas, the appearance of my time, according to my own estimation; to be not only a painter, but a man as well; in short, to create living art – this is my goal.
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The real artists are those who pick up their age exactly at the point to which it has been carried by preceding times. To go backward is to do nothing; it is pure loss; it means that one has neither understood nor profited by the lessons of the past.
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I have studied the art of the ancients and the art of the moderns, avoiding any preconceived system and without prejudice. I no longer wanted to imitate the one than to copy the other; nor, furthermore, was it my intention to attain the trivial goal of “art for art’s sake”. No! I simply wanted to draw forth, from a complete acquaintance with tradition, the reasoned and independent consciousness of my own individuality.
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I have studied the art of the masters and the art of the moderns, avoiding any preconceived system and without prejudice. I have no more wanted to imitate the former than to copy the latter; nor have I thought of achieving the idle aim of art for art’s sake.
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I hope to live all my life for my art, without abandoning my principles one iota.
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Painting is an essentially concrete art and can only consist of the representation of real and existing things.
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It is not possible to have schools for painting; there are only painters. Schools have no use except for discerning the analytic procedures of art.
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The title of Realist was thrust upon me just as the title of Romantic was imposed upon the men of 1830. Titles have never given a true idea of things: if it were otherwise, the works would be unnecessary.
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