The artwork titled “Portrait of Monsieur Nicolle” is an oil on canvas painting crafted by Gustave Courbet in 1862. As a prominent work within the Realism art movement, the piece measures 60 by 49 centimeters and depicts a gentleman’s portrait. Its location is reported as being within a private collection.
The artwork presents the viewer with a solemn and closely cropped portrait of its subject, Monsieur Nicolle. He is depicted against a dark, nondescript background that emphasizes his visage. The man’s facial features are rendered with a high degree of verisimilitude, characteristic of Courbet’s approach. He bears a full beard and mustache, shaped neatly around the mouth and chin. His hair is trimmed short, receding slightly, and he possesses a stern yet contemplative expression, with his gaze directed slightly to the viewer’s left. The painting capitalizes on a restrained color palette, primarily utilizing somber, earthy tones which typify the Realist agenda to capture subjects without idealization or embellishment. This adherence to realistic and relatable representations was a hallmark of Courbet’s work and the broader Realist movement during the mid-19th century.
