“Landscape near Puits Noir, near Ornans” is an artwork completed by Gustave Courbet in 1865. This oil on canvas painting measures 94 by 135 centimeters and illustrates Courbet’s proficiency in realism, a prominent art movement of the time. The genre of the artwork is categorized as a landscape, and it currently resides at the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’archéologie de Besançon in Besançon, France.
The artwork portrays a serene natural scene likely observed in the vicinity of Puits Noir, close to Ornans. Dominated by lush green foliage and rugged rock formations, the painting gives viewers a glimpse into the tranquility and untouched beauty of the landscape. The deep, forested area is dissected by a gentle stream or river, which reflects the sunlight filtering through the canopy above.
Courbet’s masterful use of light and shadow imbues the artwork with a realistic and almost tangible quality. The precision with which the natural elements are rendered is an exemplification of the Realism movement’s focus on depicting subjects truthfully, without artificial embellishments.
The composition places significant emphasis on the play of natural light, which varies in intensity and illuminates parts of the jagged rocks and vegetation, suggesting different times of day or atmospheric conditions. In terms of technique, the brushwork appears both detailed and textured, an indication of Courbet’s skill in capturing the various surfaces encountered in nature. The subtle gradations of color and tone add depth to the scene, making it an exemplary work within Gustave Courbet’s renowned oeuvre.
