Courbet A&I FROM THE PUBLISHER
Few artists have been so directly involved in the events of their time as the French Realist painter Gustave Courbet (1819-77). Amid the social transformations of the mid-nineteenth century, Courbet's unconventional paintings of real people in everyday scenes came to embody values with radical political implications. James Rubin addresses the entire range of Courbet's work including his hunting scenes, spirited landscapes, still lifes, portraits and erotic nudes. Over eighty paintings by Courbet are presented here in colour. An excellent introduction to Courbet and to Realism, this original and engaging account combines a close reading of the paintings with fascinating discussion of the personal, political and socio-economic circumstances in which they were created.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
Rubin (art history, State U. of New York) portrays the ambitious and proud painter from rural Ornans who, rebuffed by the Parisian art world and attacked as a "realist," seized upon that name to assert his radical sympathy for ordinary citizens and their down-to-earth experience. Beautifully illustrated with color reproductions, the text addresses the full range of Courbet's work and combines a close reading of the paintings with a discussion of the personal, political, economic, and social circumstances in which they were created. Intended for the general reader. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Art & Photography
Book Info
