Nude with Flowering Branch

1863
Not on view

This is the first Courbet nude acquired by the Americans Louisine (1855–1929) and H. O. Havemeyer (1847–1907), who amassed one of the largest and most representative private collections of the artist’s works. The couple purchased the painting in 1892, despite H. O. Havemeyer’s initial disapproval and their mutual agreement to forego buying nudes. Louisine Havemeyer considered it "one of the loveliest pictures I have ever seen," and her husband was soon won over by the work. The branch held by the woman is often identified as that of a cherry tree.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Nude with Flowering Branch
  • Artist: Gustave Courbet (French, Ornans 1819–1877 La Tour-de-Peilz)
  • Date: 1863
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 29 1/2 x 24 in. (74.9 x 61 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.100.60
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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