Courbet Retrospective at Leopold Museum Marks Historic First for Vienna
The Leopold Museum in Vienna is hosting the first major retrospective of Gustave Courbet (1819–1877) in the Austrian capital, featuring over 100 works. Curated by director Hans-Peter Wipplinger, the exhibition includes international loans from the Musée d'Orsay, Swiss and American private collections. It explores Courbet's technical innovations—using a palette knife and dark underlayers—his political engagement during the Paris Commune, and the scandal of 'L'Origine du monde.' The show also addresses forgeries and autograph replicas, including three versions of 'L'Homme blessé.' Courbet's exile in Switzerland and his late landscapes are featured. The exhibition runs until June 21, 2026.
Key facts
- First major Courbet retrospective in Vienna, at Leopold Museum.
- Over 100 works on display, including loans from Musée d'Orsay.
- Exhibition curated by Hans-Peter Wipplinger.
- Features 'L'Origine du monde' and 'L'Homme blessé' with its three versions.
- Courbet used palette knife and dark underlayers for texture.
- He participated in the Paris Commune and was imprisoned for toppling the Vendôme Column.
- The exhibition includes works from his exile in Switzerland.
- Runs until June 21, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Gustave Courbet
- Cherubino Patà
- Rembrandt
- Velázquez
- Constance Quéniaux
- Khalil Bey
- Jacques Lacan
- Lubin Baugin
- Peter Halley
Institutions
- Leopold Museum
- Musée d'Orsay
- Belvedere
- Kunstverein
- Artribune
- Paris Salon
- Louvre
- Vichy Enchères
- Sotheby's
- Pinakothek der Moderne
- Breker
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Ornans
- France
- La Tour-de-Peilz
- Switzerland
- Paris
- Hungary
- Montpellier
- Toulouse
- New York
- United States
- Cologne
- Germany
- Göteborg
- Sweden