The Meeting, or Bonjour, Monsieur Courbet!
Gustave Courbet · 1854
Why it's great
Courbet, with a walking stick and pack, is greeted by his wealthy patron, who bows to him — and the artist stands tall in the sun. The painting is a joke and a statement: a painter who thinks highly of himself. It was shown with a funny title in 1855. It's an iconic portrait of artistic confidence.
Where to see it
📍 Musée FabreMontpellier, France
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Gustave Courbet was born in Ornans, in eastern France, and moved to Paris to become an artist. He led the Realism movement, insisting on painting real people and real life instead of myths. He was outspoken and got into political trouble, and he fled to Switzerland in the end. He died there in 1877.
