The German Huntsman
by COURBET, Gustave, Oil on canvas, 120 x 177 cm
In 1858 Courbet stayed in Frankfurt where a studio was placed at his disposal in which young painters could watch him at work. Three major pictures date from his stay in Frankfurt: The German Huntsman, The Hunters’ Meal and the Woman of Frankfurt.
Courbet liked to go hunting while staying in the Franche-Comt� or Germany, but painting sporting scenes of this kind in large format was a very different matter and presented a considerable challenge, one which he solved by opting for an ornamental approach.