Who was Gustave Courbet, and what were some of his famous paintings and works of art?

Gustave Courbet was a French painter and a pivotal figure in the emergence of the Realist movement in the 19th century. Born in 1819 in Ornans, France, Courbet rejected the idealized depictions of the world, commonly found in academic art, and instead opted for a more realistic portrayal of subjects.

Some of his most famous works include 'The Stone Breakers,' which depicts two men breaking stones, 'The Artist's Studio,' which shows Courbet at work surrounded by his models and students, and 'A Burial at Ornans,' a monumental painting that depicts the funeral of Courbet's uncle.

Courbet was also known for his nude paintings, such as 'The Sleepers' and 'The Origin of the World,' which were considered controversial at the time they were created.

Despite his significant contributions to the art world, Courbet faced criticism and even legal prosecution for his work. He died in exile in Switzerland in 1877.