The life and works of Gustave Courbet (1819–1877)—widely considered one of the most outstanding advocates of Realism—represent a revolt against the academic tradition of painting and conservative politics. Technically masterful, his captivating paintings contrasted the idealization of nature with realistic representation, often triggering downright scandal among his contemporaries.By examining Courbet’s major works—self-portraits, portraits, genre paintings, landscapes, nudes, hunting scenes, still lifes—this splendid volume spans the Frenchman’s entire artistic career and his involvement with politics. Renowned experts shed light on his development of a realistic, critical style, describe his great influence on both contemporaries and later generations, and consider his works in their own art-historical context, as well as his relationship to early photography, which also strove to create a faithful reproduction of reality. Exhibition schedule: Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris, October 13, 2007–January 28, 2008 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, February  27–May 18, 2008 · Musée Fabre, Montpellier, June 13–September 28, 2008