The artwork “Poachers in the Snow” was created by the artist Gustave Courbet in 1867. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 65 by 81 centimeters and belongs to the Realism movement. This genre painting is part of the collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’archéologie de Besançon in Besançon, France.
In the artwork, one observes a winter scene steeped in naturalism and characteristic of Courbet’s style, which focuses on the accurate depiction of everyday life without idealization. Two figures dominate the foreground; they appear to be hunters engaged in the act of poaching, as suggested by the title of the work. The man on the left is leading a dog on a leash and carries a firearm over his shoulder, while his demeanor suggests cautious movement through the snow-covered landscape. The other figure is animated, raising a stick above his head, possibly to signal or strike, indicating action and movement. A second dog is seen at this second man’s feet, enhancing the sense of an active hunting scene. The landscape itself is rendered with loose brushwork, evoking the chill and texture of a snowy environment, while the subdued palette of whites, browns, and greens emphasizes the solemnity and harshness of the winter setting. The work captures a moment in time, illustrating the Realist dedication to presenting life as it is, without romantic embellishments.
