This exhibit traces the life of the artist, 130 years after his death, via some 120 paintings and 60 photographs. The man is revealed through his youth, his family (portraits and self portraits) and the striking modernity of his work which broke away from the rigid academism that dominated his day; his penchant for transgression, his nudes, from Bacchanal to the Origins of the World, his commitment to realistic painting earned him violent criticism (The burial at Ornans).

Run, do not walk, to the Courbet exhibit, a well earned homage to this XIXth century giant, in the National Gallery of the Grand Palais until January 25th, 2008.