Gustave Courbet was one of most remarkable French artists of the Realism movement during the 19th century. He was known for his unique style of painting (especially during the 1840s), and was an inspiration for the impressionists and cubists. Though he joined art studios during his youth, he was mostly a self-taught artist who practiced by copying the work of the masters. He did not believe in the traditional art techniques of his time. The subjects of his paintings included still lifes, nudes, landscapes, and hunting scenes. He was against the Romanticism in the art and instead, insisted on painting only what could be seen. He was an independent and bold artist who went against the conventions of the time. Traditionally, only historical and mythological subjects were depicted on grand scales, but he often portrayed common folks and mundane everyday activities using large canvas. His later work reflected a sensuous style. He often courted controversies with his rebellious attitude. He was a socialist and participated in the political activities for which he served prison sentence. Later, he went into a self-imposed exile to Switzerland, and lived there till his death in 1877.
