Gustave Courbet

Gustave Courbet
Jo, La Belle Irlandaise
Oil on canvas
22 x 26”
1865

Gustave Courbet (June 10 1819 - December 31 1877) was a French painter who was a leader in art's Realist movement during the 19th century.

Courbet referred to this painting as "the beauty of a superb redhead whose portrait I have begun."

This painting is of his muse and lover Joanna Hiffernan. She modeled for other artists before meeting Courbet. This was the first painting he did of her. He did other variations of this same painting as well.