Gustave Courbet.

Fernier, R.

ISBN 10: 0269025235 / ISBN 13: 9780269025235

Published by Pall Mall Press, London, first British edition, 1969, 1969

About this Item

Cloth, 4to, 139 pp. From the blurb: "Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) is now recognised as an important precursor of the Impressionists, and his name can be safely linked with those of Cezanne, Manet, Vlaminck, and so many others to whom he showed the way to freedom. In this book, M. Fernier has tried to restore Courbet to his rightful place in the history of art. Before and after his death, the revolutionary "Master of Ornans" was vilified by the bourgeoisie whom he so cordially disdained. Today we are in a position to assess more coolly the tempestuous and colourful life and career of the leader of the realist school. The author follows his hero's life through his paintings, showing us first the setting in which he was brought up and which formed not only the back-cloth of his life as an artist but also the subject of many of his greatest paintings. It was also a source of inspiration and help to which he turned in times of need. Courbet's talents were as varied as his moods; not only did he paint landscapes but he was a striking portraitist and observer of the animal kingdom and one of the most sensuous painters of the nude. This revolutionary in art allowed himself to become embroiled in the revolution of political institutions. He was a sworn enemy of Napoleon III and his supporters. At the time of the Commune he was among those who were in favour of destroying the Vendome Column, which they considered an insult to the beauty of the buildings of the Louis XIV period among which it had been erected. Maybe prophetically Courbet is said to have exclaimed: "When this Column falls it will crush me." And crush him, it did! The entire blame for the Column's destruction was laid at Courbet's door and he was pursued relentlessly by the state for the rest of his life in an attempt to exact payment for the damage. After six months in prison and a heavy fine, he was held responsible for the re-erection of the Column. Unable to pay, despite his efforts to raise the money by the sale of paintings, he fled to Switzerland. There, still pursued by his creditors, he died on December 31, 1877. This book includes reproductions of a great many of Courbet's works both in black and white and in colour. There are also a number of photographs of scenes which Courbet painted, some of which were taken during his lifetime. " Bookplate on front pastedown endpaper, otherwise Good in a dustwrapper. whose inside flaps are yellowed, offfsetting to rear free endpaper from dustwrapper flap.

Seller Inventory # ABE-16473

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Gustave Courbet.
• Publisher: Pall Mall Press, London, first British edition, 1969
• Publication Date: 1969
• ISBN 10: 0269025235
• ISBN 13: 9780269025235
• Binding: Hardcover
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • Art Reference

About this title

Synopsis

First edition bound in brown cloth, ills, color & b&w, 140 pages. Book has just mild dust soiling to the edges else fine. Dj has light wear to the upper edges.