The artwork titled “Portrait of Juliette Courbet as a Sleeping Child” was created by Gustave Courbet in 1841. It is executed in graphite on paper and represents the Realism art movement. This portrait genre piece is housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts a tranquil and tender scene of a young child sleeping soundly. The child, identified as Juliette Courbet, is resting her head on her folded arms, which are in turn positioned on an open book. The book’s presence may suggest a moment of learning or a pause in reading. The portrait is rendered with attention to fine details and shading, which adds depth to the figure and the surrounding space.
A palpable sense of calm and serenity emanates from the artwork, emphasized by the soft, careful pencil strokes that contour the child’s features and attire. The textures of the child’s hair, clothing, and the book are meticulously drawn, showcasing Courbet’s skillful handling of graphite to create a lifelike representation. The emotional resonance of the piece is quintessential of the Realist movement and its objective of portraying everyday scenes and subjects with authenticity and empathy.
