Portrait of Gustave Courbet 1878

Marcellin Desboutin's 1878 etching, "Portrait of Gustave Courbet," showcases the French realist painter Gustave Courbet, a figure central to the 19th-century art movement. This intimate portrait, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures Courbet's distinctive features, emphasizing his prominent beard and contemplative gaze. Desboutin's skillful use of line and tonal variation creates a sense of depth and realism, making this a powerful example of the artist's mastery of the printmaking process.