The Great Bridge 1864

"The Great Bridge" is a landscape painting by renowned French Realist artist Gustave Courbet, created in 1864. The artwork showcases Courbet's signature style, prioritizing a realistic portrayal of nature. It depicts a stone bridge arching over a rushing stream, with a waterfall cascading beneath. A solitary figure on a donkey crosses the bridge, adding a touch of human presence to the otherwise serene natural scene. The painting embodies Courbet's focus on depicting everyday scenes and the beauty of the ordinary.