Courbet and the Commune

In 1870, Gustave Courbet was at the peak of his fame. Seven years later, he died a fallen, forgotten man in exile. In the meantime, Courbet lived through one of the most violent crises of French history: the Commune, in which he participated actively. Considered as an accomplice in the debunking of the colonne Vendôme – a symbol of Napoleon III's power – he was imprisoned and tried by the war council. The exhibition's purpose is to study the role of the artist in the political and cultural history of the Commune and the evolution of his art during this period. Beyond his commitment in political action, major pieces painted by Courbet from his imprisonment to his departure in exile will be presented.