Artwork
La Remise des chevreuils en hiver
La Remise des chevreuils en hiver is an oil painting by the Realist artist Gustave Courbet. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1866, this canvas by French realist Gustave Courbet portrays a winter woodland scene centered on roe deer. The composition places a standing deer at the right, while another lies to the left, both set against a snow‑laden forest of trees and underbrush. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of quiet in a cold landscape, focusing on the natural behavior of the deer rather than any narrative drama. By presenting the animals in a tranquil, unembellished setting, Courbet emphasizes observation of everyday life and the intrinsic value of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Courbet employs a palette of earthy browns, muted greens and soft whites, allowing the snowy ground to recede behind the foliage. Visible brushwork creates a textured surface that conveys the rough bark and the softness of the snow. The realist approach avoids idealization, favoring direct, unvarnished representation.
History & Provenance
The canvas was painted during Courbet’s mature period, when he was actively rejecting academic and Romantic conventions in favor of direct observation. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, where it remains on display as an example of mid‑19th‑century French realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet (UK: KOOR-bay; US: koor-BAY; French: ; 10 June 1819 – 31 December 1877) was a French painter who led the Realism movement in 19th-century French painting.
