The artwork “Henri Rochefort” by Gustave Courbet was created in 1874 and is an exemplary piece of the Realism art movement. Rendered in oil on canvas, the artwork measures 65 by 54 centimeters. It is a portrait genre piece and is currently housed at the Château de Versailles in Versailles, France.
In the artwork, the subject is depicted with a distinct realism, characteristic of Courbet’s style. The figure appears to be a man of confident demeanor, facing the viewer with a direct gaze. His features are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, from the subtle contouring of the cheeks and nose to the fine texture of the hair and mustache. The attire of the subject suggests formality, as he is dressed in a dark coat with a crisply white shirt and black bow tie.
The background is subdued, employing a dark, warm tonality which enhances the focus on the subject by providing a muted contrast. Courbet’s use of lighting emphasizes the facial features and the expression, imbuing the portrait with a sense of psychological depth. The brushwork is both deliberate and fluid, contributing to a lifelike representation that captures the essence of the sitter.
Signed by Courbet in the lower right, the artwork embodies the ideals of Realism through its truthful representation of the individual, free from idealization, embodying the movement’s commitment to depicting contemporary subjects and everyday life with authenticity.
