The artwork “Three Red Apples” by Gustave Courbet was created in 1871 and is an exemplar of the Realism art movement. The painting’s dimensions are a notable 195 by 315 centimeters, and it belongs to the still life genre. This significant piece of art is housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
“Three Red Apples” depicts a trio of luscious red apples arranged closely together against a dark, somewhat indistinct background that serves to highlight the vivid color and form of the fruit. Courbet’s skillful use of light and shadow imparts a sense of volume to the apples, making them appear tactile and weighty. The artist’s name is prominently signed at the bottom of the painting, further emphasizing the work’s personal and authentic nature. The brushwork appears loose and expressive, which is characteristic of the Realism movement’s focus on capturing the subject matter as it exists in the real world, without idealization. This painting reveals Courbet’s dedication to portraying common, everyday subjects with honesty and directness.
