Nothing but Reality

When the Jury of the Salon turned down his works in 1855, Courbet, without further ado, exhibited them outside the gates to the Paris World Exposition under the title “le réalisme”. He rejected the prevailing currents of Classicism and Romanticism, and confined himself solely to what could actually be seen in the world. Using grimy colours, and consciously flouting every academic convention, he presented his audience with everyday life. His sometimes coarse depictions of misery on occasion prompted fierce criticism. But his total lack of compromise had an influence that extended far beyond the borders of France: Courbet was regarded as the founder of Realism.

An important event that helped spread this new concept was the International Art Exhibition in Munich in 1869. Hanging alongside works by Courbet were a number of paintings by the young academy pupil Wilhelm Leibl. Courbet – no friend of German painting – viewed the exhibition and was so impressed by Leibl’s works that he paid a personal visit to the artist. A bone of contention in his own country, the German artist at last found the recognition he desired in Paris.