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Gustave Courbet (French, 1819–1877)
The Desperate Man, 1844–45
Oil on canvas; 17 3/4 x 21 5/8 in. (45 x 55 cm)
Private Collection, courtesy of Conseil Investissement Art BNP Paribas
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Courbet himself never mentioned this enigmatic work, which remained with him until his death. The painting has been read as an "expressive head"—an academic exercise in the tradition of Charles Le Brun (1619–1690), an image of the artist as mad genius, and an autobiographical work depicting the artist in a moment of personal and artistic crisis. It probably was painted about 1844–45, after Courbet had been rejected several times by the Salon jury and was becoming disillusioned with his youthful Romantic ideals. Looking back on his early struggles, Courbet would comment, "How I was made to suffer despair in my youth!"
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