The artwork “Portrait of Charles Baudelaire” by Gustave Courbet, completed between 1848 and 1849, is done in oil on canvas and measures 53 by 61 centimeters. This work exemplifies the Realism art movement and is categorized as a portrait. It is currently held at the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, France.
The artwork provides an intimate portrayal of the French poet Charles Baudelaire. The subject is depicted seated at a table, his body turned slightly away from the viewer, with his face in profile. He appears deeply engrossed in a book, suggesting a moment of intellectual absorption. The desk hosts various items, including a quill which, along with the book, anchors the subject in his literary vocation. The dusky, muted palette creates an atmosphere of contemplation and underlines the realist commitment to portraying the truth of the human condition. The brushwork is finely attuned to the textures of the scene, from the crispness of the cravat to the soft gleam of Baudelaire’s dark hair. The choice of a subdued background focuses attention on the subject and his immediate surroundings, inviting the viewer to reflect on the inner life of the poet. Through this portrayal, Courbet captures more than the likeness of Baudelaire; he conveys an aura of intellectual intensity and the solitary nature of the creative pursuit.
